(KLZA)-- 29 – year-old Adrian Eagle Elk, an inmate, at the Tecumseh State Correction Institution died on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at the Johnson County Hospital.

At approximately 7:00 a.m., staff members observed Eagle Elk unresponsive in his cell from an apparent suicide attempt. They immediately initiated CPR; Eagle Elk was transferred to the local hospital via emergency responders, where he was pronounced dead at 7:58 a.m.

Eagle Elk was serving a sentence of 24 to 39 years for charges in Scottsbluff County. He was convicted of one count first degree assault, three counts second degree assault, one count escape using force/deadly weapon and one count third degree assault.

The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the death, as is the case whenever an inmate dies in the custody of the Department of Correctional Services, a grand jury will conduct an investigation.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have approved a bill that is designed to fix a flaw in a new education funding law that would have cost public schools $80 million.

The Senate's 30-8 vote Monday sends the measure to Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer, and he has promised to sign it. The House approved the bill Saturday.

The new school funding law was supposed to phase in a $534 million increase in education funding in hopes of meeting a Kansas Supreme Court mandate to boost spending on public schools.

The law set a minimum for local property tax revenues to be raised by local school boards and counted those dollars toward the state's total aid. Instead of adding local dollars to state dollars, the technical calculation inadvertently replaced state dollars with local dollars.

K-9 Ernie/Photo credit: Atchison Co Sheriff's Office 

(KAIR)--As part of the Atchison County Sheriff's Office's ongoing focus on narcotics investigations, a new, four legged officer has been added to the force. “We have added a K-9 unit [which will be] on the street as well,” Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News.

K-9 Ernie is a male Dutch Shepherd/Belgium Malinois mix.

According to a press release issued by Laurie, Ernie is a dual-purpose K-9, trained in narcotics detection and patrol work.

The patrol duties will include tracking suspects, article and building searches, suspect apprehension, and officer protection.

K-9 Ernie's handler is Deputy David Worley, with both having completed training, and receiving certification, in Topeka.

Laurie says the Atchison County Sheriff's Office has not had a K-9 for over 10-years, and sees the addition of Ernie as “appropriate and much needed,” as his office will no longer have to request K-9 assistance from other agencies, as has been done many times in the past.

Laurie says no budgeted funds, or tax dollars, were used to purchase the K-9. Instead, the purchase was funded through revenues generated by the Sheriff's Office, as well as donations from two different agencies, Dogs on Duty and the Humane Society of America.

(MSC News)--Winds have increased out of the south to around 20 to 30 mph late this morning which will persist through the afternoon with gusts to 45 mph.
Relative humidity values will drop to 25 to 35 percent.

The combination of the strong, gusty winds, dry fuels, and the very dry surface conditions will lead to a very high fire danger across the area.

All outdoor burning should be avoided until later this evening as conditions will favor rapid spread of fire.

Burn bans are currently in place for Atchison and Doniphan Counties. 

The bans will remain effective until further notice. 

...WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 7 PM CDT
THIS EVENING...

The National Weather Service in Kansas City/Pleasant Hill has
issued a Wind Advisory, which is in effect from 10 AM this
morning to 7 PM CDT this evening.

* TIMING...Late morning through the early evening.

* WINDS...Southerly winds from 25 to 30 mph gusting to 40 to 45
  mph.

* IMPACTS...Travel will be difficult for high-profile vehicles,
  and loose and/or light weight objects may be blown around. In
  addition, dropping afternoon humidity levels and dry fuels may
  cause any grass fires that ignite to rapidly get out of
  control. Burning is highly discouraged.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Wind Advisory means that winds of at least 30 mph are expected
with gusts to 45 mph. Winds this strong can make driving
difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra
caution.

(KLZA)-- Richardson County Assessor Pam Vice met with Richardson County Commissioners April 24th to update them on the renewal for the GIS Workshop program.

Vice requested the County renew the program and utilize additional services offered with Pictometry.

Commissioners recommended Assessor Vice approve a five-year  contract with GIS, with no increase in the price. 

In addition, the Board  approved an additional cost of approximately $10-thousand for the “Change Finder: feature with the Pictometry program, to be paid over a three-year period.  

In other action Commissioners approved the Juvenile Services Program Comprehensive Community Plan for July 1 through June 30, 2021 as submitted by Laura Osborne.  Osborne serves as the Grant Administrator for the 4-County Juvenile Services Grant.  

(KAIR)--No injuries are reported following a Saturday afternoon fire at a home near Cummings.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the fire occurred at 13266 242nd Road around 1:00.

A neighboring family member reported the fire at the residence, which belongs to Joelen Ricketts.

Laurie said volunteer firefighters from the Nortonville, Mount Pleasant, and Lancaster Fire Departments responded to the fire, along with Sheriff's Deputies.

The fire was determined to have been accidental, caused by an electrical issue in a back bedroom of the residence.

The home is considered a total loss. 

(KMZA)--Repair work will mean the closure of a local road.

According to the Nemaha County Road and Bridge Department, J Road, from the Seneca city limits to 120th Road, will close starting Monday, April 30.

The closure is expected to remain in place for two weeks.

Motorists should seek alternate routes during the closure.

ATCHISON, Kan. (AP) — A Leavenworth woman admitted in court that she mistreated an elderly man she was supposed to be caring for at an Atchison residential care facility.

38-year-old Tammy Puckett on Friday pleaded guilty to mistreatment of a dependent person.

Atchison County Attorney Jerry Kuckelman said that Puckett was employed at Medicalodge in Atchison.

He said in March she didn't provide for the physical and mental needs of an 80-year-old man who was dependent on her.

The details of the neglect were not released.

The St. Joseph News-Press reports that sentencing is scheduled for June 15th.

Puckett is out of jail on $15,000 bond.

(KAIR)--A meeting Monday will examine the findings of a survey, focused on community health, conducted in Doniphan County.

According to information provided by the Doniphan County Health Department, the survey was conducted between the end of November until the end of January.

It was the outcome of a collaboration between the Doniphan County Economic Development Commission and the Health Department/Home Health, which began planning for the assessment in October 2017.

The community health survey was offered online, through the use of the Survey Monkey service. For those wanting to use a physical form, paper copies of the survey, and drop boxes, were placed in Doniphan County businesses.

It was offered to every citizen of Doniphan County.

The previous Doniphan County community health assessment was conducted in 1993.

The survey was intended to discover the areas of concern regarding healthy behaviors and to help fill the gaps in health services.

Grant opportunities to promote healthy behaviors are determined by the areas of concern shown thorough a community health assessment.

On Monday, a community meeting, focused on the findings, will be held at the Troy Library, from 6 until 8:00 that evening.

During the session, the results of the assessment will be analyzed and discussed, and the next steps in the process explored.

Prior to the community meeting, health providers will address the findings during a late afternoon session.

Representatives of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment will facilitate.

(KMZA)--A single vehicle Saturday morning Marshall County, Kansas crash claimed the life of a Nebraska man.

The Kansas Highway Patrol report states 25-year-old Tyler Vanwinkle, of Steinauer, was westbound on Cherokee Road, at U.S. Highway 77, 8 miles north of Marysville, when his pickup truck drifted off the south edge of the roadway.

The truck struck a guardrail, causing the vehicle to overturn as it left the roadway. It landed upside down on the west edge of a creek.

The Patrol says Vanwinkle was buckled up when the wreck happened shortly before 7:00.

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for portion of the City of Robinson located in Brown County. This will affect all customers located along Main street and to the west of Main Street. KDHE officials issued the advisory because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Robinson indicate no evidence of contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

(KAIR)--The remodel of the former Atchison Long John Silver's is apparent to passersby, with the 626 Main Street location being prepared for a new life.

According to a press release issued Thursday by property owner Karen Seaberg, a new business will set up shop inside the building.

Seaberg says The Atchison Bread Company is a partnership between herself and Marie Griffin, who serve as co-founders of the operation.

According to the release, the business will produce a variety of fresh whole grain artisan breads.

Although the primary focus will be building a wholesale business to supply restaurants and businesses in both Atchison and surrounding communities, The Atchison Bread Company will also have retail hours.

External construction is ongoing, with internal renovations, and equipment installation, set to happen over the course of the next few months.

A late August or early September opening is expected.

(MSC News)--A Manhattan, Kansas man has been convicted on charges related to a hit and run last April that left a Horton woman seriously injured.

WIBW-TV reports a jury Thursday convicted Nicolas Blaha for both aggravated battery and failing to stop at the scene of an accident that resulted in great bodily harm.

Blaha faces up to 34-months in prison.

Authorities say the 22-year-old Blaha was driving a pickup truck that struck Amber Wilhelm early April 14, 2017 while she was crossing Bluemont Avenue in Manhattan, and then drove away.

He turned himself in to Riley County authorities last August.

(KAIR)--An Atchison County Commissioner has decided to seek election.

According to Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, Jack Bower filed by petition Wednesday to continue serving as Commissioner for the County's 1st District.

Phillips says the petition was verified Thursday.

Bower currently serves as Vice-Chair of the County Commission.

Bower was chosen to fill the 1st District seat during a Republican Party District Convention in April 2017.

Bower was elected to fill the unexpired term of Jeff Schuele who resigned from the role.

The term runs through January 2019.

Bower is the first to file for the seat, which is the only County Commission position up for election.

All candidates seeking election in Atchison County must file by 12 noon on Friday, June 1 to be eligible for the August 7 primary election.

The general election will be held November 6.

Along with the commission position, all Atchison County township clerk positions are up for election.

(MSC News)--Prescription drugs must be disposed of safely and properly.

That's the reason behind National Drug Take Back Day, planned for Saturday, as local area law enforcement agencies partner with the Drug Enforcement Agency, to allow safe disposal of such medications.

All area collection locations will operate from 10:00 Saturday morning until 2:00 in the afternoon.

The Brown County Sheriff's Department will again join in the effort, conducting collections at the Sheriff's Office located at 709 Utah Street in Hiawatha.

Taking part in the program has also become a tradition for the Atchison County Sheriff's Department, with Sheriff Jack Laurie telling MSC News he has seen strong success through his office's participation. “It's been successful every time, the amount of prescription drugs that we get each time.” Laurie says all varieties of prescription drugs are accepted anonymously for disposal, which keeps them from falling into either the wrong hands, or being disposed of in environmentally unfriendly ways.

The DEA cannot accept liquids, needles, or sharps.

Saturday's drug take back in Atchison will happen at the CVS pharmacy, located at 400 South 10th Street.

Numerous other agencies from across the local area will join law enforcement nationwide in taking part in the event. For a complete list of local Drug Take Back locations, go here.

(KLZA)-- The Pawnee City School Board approved the expenditure of $67,712 for 160 eduGear CMT Chromebooks during their April meeting.

The price includes the warrant and support services. The Chromebooks will replace the 1-to-1 Macbook Pro's currently in use. Money from the Depreciation Fund will be used to pay for the machines.

The board also approved a change that will provide for grade 6 instruction to move from a standalone classroom, to a Middle School class rotation schedule.

The Board voted to accept with regret the resignation of art teacher, Christina Hilger, Info Tech instructor Mary Moser, sixth grade teacher Deborah Niss who is retiring and Elementary Special Education teacher Kharisa Saathoff.

The hiring of Joni Hegemann and Jordan Murphy as full-time certified teachers beginning with the 2018-19 school year was approved.

(KLZA)-- The Mound City Board of Education accepted the resignation of 3rd Grade teacher Rachel Stanton during their April 18th meeting.

Following a closed session to discuss personnel the Board approved offering contracts to Alex Drewes to teach 3rd Grade and Taylor Standerford the teach Junior High Math.

Extra-curricular duty positions were also approved.

Brian Messer will be moving from his position as High School Football Head Coach to Head Coach of the Cross Country program. He will replace Ken Eaton in that position.

Taylor Standerford will be the new Mound City football Head Coach. Standerford will also the the assistant High School Girls Track Coach.

(KTNC)-- On April 19th, KNZA Inc. Filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission for a translator for Falls City.

A translator is a low power FM signal designed to help local AM stations have better coverage both day and night. 

If approved, the translator would cover Falls City and part of the surrounding area giving A.M. 1230, KTNC  Radio, owned by KNZA Inc. the ability to reach people on the FM commercial dial on channel 107.1. 

The application seeks authority to operate the new FM translator station with a maximum effective radiated power of 0.25 kW from a transmitter site located approximately three miles west and three miles north of Falls City, which is the same site as the broadcast tower for KLZA – FM, SUNNY 101.3.

The application has been submitted with the FCC for their approval.  

(KLZA)-- Unemployment rates  dipped in six Southeast Nebraska counties during the month of March. 

The Nebraska Department of Labor report indicates Pawnee County has the best unemployment rate in the area at just 2.6 percent which was a reduction of a tenth of a point. 

The highest unemployment in the area is in Johnson County at 3.6 percent, but Johnson County also had the biggest dip in unemployment for the month dropping six-tenths of a percent from February's 4.2 percent. 

In Richardson and Otoe counties the unemployment rate dipped three-tenths to 3 percent.  The Nemaha County, Nebraska unemployment rate is 3.4 percent for the month down a tenth.  In Gage County unemployment dropped three-tenths to 3.3 percent.  

Statewide the March jobless rate was steady at 2.8 percent, which is unchanged from February. Nationally the unemployment rate for March was 4.1 percent. The Nebraska unemployment rate ranks tied for 5th best in the U.S. with Iowa.   Hawaii has the lowest unemployment rate at 2.1 percent.  New Hampshire and North Dakota check in at 2.6 percent and Maine is at 2.7 percent.

In the area, Kansas has a jobless rate in March at 3.4 percent,  Missouri has an unemployment rate of 3.6 percent and in South Dakota the rat is 3.4 percent. 

TOPEKA, Kan. – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has rescinded a boil water advisory for the City of Hoyt located in Jackson County. The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the City of Hoyt indicate no evidence of contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

(KAIR)--A 16-year-old boy is accused of rape.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the teen was arrested Monday, following an investigation that began earlier this month. “We began an investigation in early April that focused on unlawful sexual activity involving a female under the age of 14. That investigation determined that this activity occurred on more than one occasion between January and March of this year, at a residence, in Atchison.”

Wilson said the victim was acquainted with the accused teen at the time of the alleged crimes. “Under Kansas law, sexual activity that's been determined to have occurred in this case, with a person under the age of 14, elevates it to a case of rape.

Following his arrest, the 16-year-old was transported to juvenile detention.

Kindergarten through 5th grade students were moved to the Holton High School after the Holton Elementary school was evacuated Wednesday morning following a small gas leak.

(KNZA)--Students were evacuated from the Holton Elementary School Wednesday morning following a small gas leak.

The school district sent out an alert shortly before 10:00 informing parents of the evacuation.

Students were initially evacuated to the old Jackson County Fair building, across the street from the school located in the 800 block of 5th Street.

Kansas Gas Service was contacted.

Around 10:30, the school district sent out another alert informing parents that kindergarten through 5th grade students were being moved to the Holton High School so they could be served lunch.

Shortly before 12:30, the all-clear was given and students were allowed to return to the school.

School district officials say it was determined that the gas leak came from an oven in the school kitchen that had not be hooked up properly.

(KMZA)--A Democratic candidate for Kansas Secretary of State will visit Seneca Saturday afternoon, April 28th.

Kansas Senator Marci Francisco, of Lawrence, will be at the Home Plate Cafe  at 811 North Street at 1:30.

Her visit is being hosted by the Nemaha County Democrats and the public is invited to attend.

Beverages and light refreshments will be served as Francisco speaks and takes questions from the audience.

Francisco has served in the Kansas Senate since 2005.

She is among two Democratic candidates for Kansas Secretary of State.  Three Republicans are also seeking the office.

Incumbent Secretary of State Kris Kobach is seeking the GOP nomination for governor.  

(KNZA)--The roof on third district Doniphan County road shop will be replaced.

The Doniphan County Commission Monday accepted a bid from Specialty Roofing, of Hiawatha, in the amount of $30,930 for the project.   

It was among three bids received.  

In other business, Commissioner Tim Collins asked for the Board’s consideration in making necessary repairs to a bridge on 190th Road near Eminence Road.

Collins said a cost estimate was obtained from Husker Steel in the amount of nearly $70,000 to repair two piers and increase the load rating on the closed structure from 3 ton to 7 ton.

Fellow commissioners, Thad Geiger and Jerry McKernan, agreed to view the structure and take the repair under consideration.     

(KMZA)--A vacancy has been filled on the rural Sabetha Fire District #5 Board.

On the recommendation of the existing fire board members, the Nemaha County Commission Monday approved the appointment of Eric Rokey to the Board.

Rokey will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of  Merlin Wenger.

In other business, Sheriff Rich Vernon informed Commissioners he has hired Jean Rasmussen as a corrections officer.   

Rasmussen is to began work April 25th, and fills the vacancy created by  the resignation of Alishia Hynek.

County Road and Bridge/Solid Waste Supervisor Dennis Ronnebaum told Commissioners he would like to order an oil heater for the new recycling center baler.

Commissioners agreed to the purchase at a cost $850.

The county was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for the purchase of the baler, which Ronnebaum said did not come with an oil heater.         

(KMZA)--The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Waste Management has announced the awarding of twenty-four waste reduction grants totaling more than $400,000—including several locally.

The grants are designed to support existing recycling and composting programs, and encourage the start-up of new programs especially in small and medium size communities.

Nemaha County has been awarded a $25,000 grant for the purchase of a new baler for the county recycling center.

The Pottawatomie County Recycling Committee and Pottawatomie County Noxious Weed will receive a more than 74-hundred dollar grant.  It will be used for educational public meetings, a county fair booth, Earth Day poster contest and promotional items.

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation was awarded a more than 47-hundred dollar grant to expand recycling services to neighboring communities, purchase containers and fund a public education video.

The grants require at least a 25 percent local match.

The grants are authorized by state law and funded by a one dollar per ton landfill tonnage fee.        

(KNZA)--This year will mark the 100th anniversary of the Brown County Fair, and efforts are underway to make this year’s fair parade bigger and better.

Tim Lentz, representing the Horton Chamber of Commerce, met with the Brown County Commission Monday to request funding from the county to cover the cost of bringing some added attractions to the parade.

Lentz said the Chamber is looking at bringing Willie the Wildcat and the Topeka Marking Band.  He said they are still searching for additional attractions as well.

The Commission voted to provide up to $3,000 for the added entertainment.

The Chamber will pay the bills for the parade entertainment and then submit them to the county for reimbursement.

The Brown County Fair will be held July 9th-13th at the fairgrounds in Horton.

(KMZA)--A Seneca man is facing several felony charges stemming from two separate incidents in March.

Nemaha County Attorney Brad Lippert, in a press release, says 50-year-old Edward Meade has been charged in Nemaha County District Court with aggravated assault, cruelty to animals and two counts of aggravated endangering a child.

Lippert says the complaint alleges that on March 7th Meade used a deadly weapon to place another person in reasonable apprehension of bodily harm.  He says its also alleged that on March 1st Meade maliciously injured a dog, and caused two children to be placed in a situation where their life, body or health were endangered.

The incidents were investigated by the Seneca Police Department.

Meade was arrested last Friday on a warrant by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Department, and booked into the Nemaha County Jail.

He was released Sunday on a $20,000 surety bond and is set to appear in court May 22nd.

(KNZA)--Two local area communities are placed under boil water advisories.

According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the advisories were put in place Tuesday for both the Jackson County community of Hoyt and the Brown County community of Robinson.

According to a news release from the KDHE, the advisories will remain in effect until the conditions that placed the systems at risk of bacterial contamination are resolved.

KDHE officials issued the advisories because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Customers should observe the following precautions until further notice:

• Boil water for one minute prior to drinking or food preparation or use bottled water.

• Dispose of ice cubes and do not use ice from a household automatic icemaker.

• Disinfect dishes and other food contact surfaces by immersion for at least one minute in clean tap water that contains one teaspoon of unscented household bleach per gallon of water.

• Water used for bathing does not generally need to be boiled. Supervision of children is necessary while bathing so that water is not ingested. Persons with cuts or severe rashes may wish to consult their physicians.

• If your tap water appears dirty, flush the water lines by letting the water run until it clears.

(KAIR)--A car and semi tractor-trailer collide, sending one person to the hospital.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News the wreck happened early Tuesday morning in the 2000 block of U.S. Highway 59.

It was there that a westbound 2005 Saturn, driven by 19-year-old Wathena resident Isaac Vallejo, crossed the center line.

The car crashed into an eastbound semi, leaving Vallejo with head and facial injuries.

He was transported from the scene by EMS and taken to Saint Joseph, Missouri for hospital treatment.

The driver of the semi, from Garden City, was not hurt.

The wreck happened shortly before 6:00 Tuesday morning.

Photo Credit: Atchison Police Dept.

(KAIR)--The ribbon cutting, planned in Atchison this week to officially mark the start of operations for the new substation in the city, has been postponed.

According to a statement released Tuesday by Westar Energy spokeswoman Gina Penzig, the ceremony is placed on hold due to unforeseen circumstances.

The ribbon cutting was to be held Wednesday at the Amelia Earhart Substation, located at 5th and Q Streets

According to Westar, the $50 million construction project, which included the new substation and the upgrades to the transmission system serving Atchison. means improved reliability and power quality in the Atchison area, as well as support for future growth.

A new date for the ribbon cutting isn't immediately determined.

Construction of the substation began in the summer of 2016 and was completed earlier this year.

It's named in honor of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, who was born in Atchison, and features a 12-foot tall concrete wall around the substation with a timeline outlining Earhart's personal and professional accomplishments.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Humane Society is seeking financial support from the county.

Representatives of the Humane Society met with the Brown County Commission Monday to make the request.  

Humane Society President Ruth Shaver told commissioners the organization is running short on cash.

She said they took in 314 dogs and cats last year at their shelter, with 77 of those coming from rural Brown County.

Shaver says they charge Hiawatha, Horton, Fairview, Morrill and surrounding communities for animals brought in from their cities.

She says they spent $70,000 last year for operation of the shelter.  Shaver says they operate very frugal with only one part-time employee and lots of food and cleaning supplies donated.

Shaver requested the county consider providing $4,000 annually to the organization.

Commission Chairman Steve Roberts said the Commission will discuss the request and get back with the Humane Society in a week or two.

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle late Monday afternoon Jefferson County wreck sent an Ozawkie resident to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened shortly before 5:00 at the intersection of K-4 Highway and Northeast 46th Street.

The Patrol says 61-year-old Stephan Matheny, of Ozawkie, was stopped at the intersection when he attempted to make a left turn onto K-4 in front of southbound car driven by 34-year-old Joseph Boyette.  Matheny’s car was struck by the Boyette vehicle.   

Boyette was transported to Topeka’s Stormont-Vail Hospital.

Matheny, a passenger in his vehicle and a 9-year-old passenger in the Boyette vehicle were not hurt.

The Patrol says all the occupants were buckled up when the crash occurred.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man is being remembered for his love of music, baseball, his family and friends, and ice cream.

Those are the memories of Atchison's Lauren Pierce who was in a relationship with Marcus Denton at the time he was killed Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colorado. “He would light up your whole world,” Pierce told MSC News. “He really cared about his friends and he'd do anything to make anybody happy.”

KKTV 11 is reporting that police are continuing to investigate what led to a double shooting Saturday night that left Denton and a woman, identified by the TV station as Serena Garcia, dead inside a car.

Pierce recalls Denton warmly, saying he was a one of a kind person with a heart of gold. “ He was really smart, smart as could be. He'd teach you things that you'd never think you'd be taught.”

A last minute candlelight vigil was held in Atchison Sunday night in Denton's honor. “It was amazing to see the people that did come," Pierce said. "It was very last minute, but the turnout was very good for how little notice anybody had.”

Denton was only 20-years-old. “He would be turning 21 next month,” Pierce said.

One person is in custody for the shooting, and Colorado Springs Police told KKTV more arrests are possible.

Denton was living in Colorado Springs at the time of his death.

(KNZA)--A Brown County road closure is planned Wednesday.

County Clerk Melissa Gormley says the county road and bridge crew in District 3 will be closing Goldfinch Road from 210th to 230th Streets, beginning at 8:30 Wednesday morning.

The road is being closed for a tube replacement project.

ADDITIONAL FILING FOR MARSHALL CO COMMISSION SEAT  4/23/18  GB

(KMZA)--A second candidate has filed for the position of 1st District Marshall County Commissioner

Steve Boyda, of rural Marysville, has filed for run for the position on the Democratic ticket.   

Previously, Bill Phillipi filed for the office on the Republican ticket.

The position is currently held by Robert Connell.

Boyda, who retired last year as a police lieutenant with the Riley County Police Department, currently farms his family’s land south of Marysville and lives on the property.

The 1st district county commission seat is the only Marshall County office up for election this fall.

Candidates have until noon, June 1st to file at the Marshall County Clerk’s Office.

The primary election will be held August 7th and the general election is November 6th.

(MSC News)--Unemployment was down in area northeast Kansas counties in March from February.

According to report released Friday by the Kansas Department of Labor,  the only exception was in Nemaha County which saw it jobless rate hold steady at 2.4 percent.

Nemaha County had the lowest unemployment rate among area counties, while Atchison County had the highest at 4.5 percent.

Elsewhere, Brown County’s unemployment rate in March was 3.2 percent; Doniphan, 3.7 percent; Jackson, 3 percent; Jefferson, 3.4 percent; Leavenworth, 3.8 percent; Marshall, 2.8 percent and Pottawatomie, 2.7 percent.

Statewide, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in March was 3.4 percent.  That’s unchanged from February and down from 3.7 percent in March 2017.

(KMZA)--The director of nursing at Life Care Center of Seneca has been named Director of Nursing of the Year for Life Care Centers of America’s Central Division.

According to a news release from Life Care Centers of America, the award was presented to Laura Noland during Life Care’s annual Directors of Nursing Meeting held recently at its headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee.

The release says the award is given to the director of nursing in each of Life Care’s divisions who best demonstrates outstanding qualities in several areas, including customer service ratings, staff development and successful state surveys.

During the meeting, Noland was praised for her longtime commitment to the facility, starting as a licensed practical nurse in 1997 when the center was called Country View Estates. She has been director of nursing since 2002 and has led the building to several excellent state surveys, including some deficiency-free and this past year’s that earned Kansas Adult Care Executives’ Exemplary Facility Award.

Noland was selected for the award from all the directors of nursing in Life Care’s Central Division, which encompasses 35 facilities in Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

(KAIR)--An Ottawa, Kansas man arranges to purchase a vehicle from an Atchison resident; but when the seller gets suspicious of the check given to him by 26-year-old Matthew Lang, police are called and Lang goes to jail.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson tells MSC News an investigation was launched Monday, when the 39-year-old seller contacted his office with his concerns. “Lang had given the seller a $12,000 check that the seller was questioning, and he contacted our officers. The officers did determine the check was forged, and actually involved an account of a Kansas City business that had closed the account 8-years earlier. So, when Lang arrived in Atchison Monday afternoon to get the vehicle, he was met by officers who took him into custody.”

Lang faces charges of forgery and making false information.

Following his arrest, he was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

According to jail records, his bond was set at $10,000.

(KAIR)--The Doniphan County Sheriff's Office was one of several agencies that assisted in a Thursday night, early Friday morning operation, focused on drivers willing to flee from law enforcement.

KQ2-TV reports the operation was led by Saint Joseph Police, who made five arrests during the time period.

Police Captain Jeff Wilson told the TV station the operation was a success following weeks of planning and coordination.

The activity drew concern on social media, with questions Thursday night into Friday raised about the heavy police activity, including helicopters flying overhead, in the Saint Joseph area.

Wilson confirmed that vehicles that fled from officers “were tracked by air assets and there were arrests made.”

Along with Saint Joseph Police and Doniphan County Deputies, other agencies involved in the operation included the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department, the Buchanan County Drug Strike Force, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Andrew County Sheriff's Department.

(KMZA)--A Seneca man is officially a candidate for the 62nd District seat in the Kansas House.

The Kansas Secretary of State’s Office determined Wednesday that a petition submitted by Democrat Melvin Baker contained enough valid signatures for his name to appear on the primary election ballot.

Baker is a retired middle school and high school government/civics teacher.  He still substitutes and teaches driver’s education classes.

Baker is the only Democrat to file so far.

Sabetha Republican Randy Garber currently represents the 62nd District and  is seeking another two-year term.  He has held the position since 2011.

The 62nd District includes Brown and Nemaha Counties along with portions of Atchison and Jackson Counties.

Candidates have noon, June 1st to file.

The primary election will be held August 7th, and the general election is November 6th.  
         

(KMZA)--Another Democratic candidate for Kansas governor will visit Seneca.

Josh Svaty will be at the Seneca City Library at 10:00 Saturday morning, April 21st.  

His visit is being hosted by the Nemaha County Democrats.  The public is invited to attend and meet him.

Svaty is an Ellsworth farmer with government experience as a state legislator.  At the age of 22, he was elected to the Kansas House in 2002 where he served 3 ½ terms until he was appointed Secretary of Agriculture by Governor Mark Parkinson in July 2009.  After leaving office in 2011, he served as senior advisor in the Environmental Protection Agency and then became vice president of the Land Institute in Salina.

He and his wife, Kimberly, have four children.

Beverages and light refreshments will be served as Svaty speaks and takes questions from the audience.

He is among seven Democratic candidates vying for Kansas governor.    

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A federal judge says Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach violated her order that some voters were eligible to cast a ballot while a lawsuit challenging a state law requiring proof of U.S. citizenship worked its way through the courts.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson found Kobach in contempt of court Wednesday. She didn't impose a fine but ordered Kobach to pay for damages, including attorney fees.

The American Civil Liberties Union sought the contempt ruling after Kobach refused to update the state's election guide or ensure that county officials sent postcards to residents who registered at driver licensing offices without providing citizenship documents.

Robinson said in March that she had made it clear voters covered by a May 2016 injunction she imposed were not to be treated differently.

(KNZA)--A Sabetha man has been charged in connection with a vehicle burglary.

Sabetha Police Chief Robert Wahwasuck says 36-year-old Ronald Brooks was arrested April 11th after a report of  a vehicle burglary in the 12-hundred block of Jefferson Street in Sabetha.

Wahwasuck says Brooks was allegedly seen inside a vehicle that did not belong to him, reportedly looking for anything of value to steal. 

When officers arrived, Brooks took off on foot and was later taken into custody at his residence in the 900 block of Lincoln.

He remains in the Nemaha County Jail after bond was denied.   

(KAIR)--An accused rapist is now in custody.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, says Michael Wayne Hooks was taken into custody Thursday night.

Hours prior to to his capture in Lawrence, Kansas, by the Lawrence Police Department, Morse had put out a call to the public to help with the search for the 41-year-old Lawrence resident.

According to Morse, Hooks was in Wichita, made telephone contact with Morse, and then drove to Lawrence to turn himself in.

He was arrested on a Jackson County District Court warrant for kidnapping, rape, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated burglary.

Morse says the charges stem from a rape investigation in Holton that occurred April 12.

The case is being investigated by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Holton Police Department.

(KAIR)--A bus paraprofessional in Atchison is no longer employed in the school district.

That follows an investigation that arose from the allegation that a child had been given some type of medication by the paraprofessional to aid the child's cough.

According to a Facebook post made by the child's mother, the 2nd grader informed her of the incident, and she in turn contacted officials of USD 409.

Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers told MSC News a thorough investigation was conducted. "This is a personnel matter, so I can't discuss allegations. However, I can tell you that this person is no longer employed with Apple Bus, in our community."

Apple Bus is the company that oversees the district's busing services, and the para-professional was employed through them.

It remains unknown exactly what was given to the child.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan. (AP) — Kansas officials say they are investigating reports that babies were placed at risk while they slept at a day care.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families said Thursday in a written statement that a report was made last month about a Leavenworth facility. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment says it's investigating and that the day care continues operating.

The agencies commented after KSHB-TV talked to parents who were shown pictures of their babies lying face down with the sleeves of their sleepers tied behind them with ponytail holders. The babies appeared to be unable to move their arms. Deirdre Engle says she pulled her daughter from the facility, which she identified as Miss Anne's, after she was notified. The day care didn't immediately return a phone message.

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - A Nebraska prison inmate who freely admits killing his cellmate is not contesting the death penalty sought against him by prosecutors.
 
Patrick Schroeder was in court Thursday before three judges who will decide whether he's sentenced to death or life in prison for the strangulation last year of his cellmate, Terry Berry.
 
The Omaha World-Herald reports that the 40-year-old Schroeder, who is serving as his own attorney, offered no rebuttal to prosecutors' case that he should be sentenced to death.
 
Last July, Schroeder pleaded guilty to killing Berry in the cell they shared at the Tecumseh State Prison. Schroeder already was serving a life sentence for killing a Pawnee City farmer in 2006. Berry was imprisoned for passing back checks.

(KNZA)--A Horton man is arrested after a woman finds him hiding in her home in the southwestern portion of Brown County.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says the woman made the discovery after returning home shortly after noon Wednesday afternoon.

When confronted by the woman, the suspect fled the residence in his vehicle.

Merchant says the woman called 911 to report the incident, and did "an outstanding job” of identifying the suspect and the vehicle to the responding deputy.  

Merchant says the suspect, identified as 28-year-old Andrew Davis, was located and stopped a short time later in the area of 130th and Goldfinch Roads.

Davis was arrested on charges of aggravated burglary, driving while license cancelled, suspended or revoked and felony obstruction.  He was booked into the Brown County Jail.

The Kansas Highway Patrol, Kickapoo Police Department and Sac and Fox Police Department assisted.         

(KAIR)--A traffic stop in the Jackson County community of Hoyt led to the arrest of six, who now face drug-related charges.

According to a press release issued by Hoyt Police Chief Dan Wentling, the stop was made around 2:45 Sunday morning, with the resulting investigation leading to the arrest of all six, including the driver, 21-year-old Horton resident Okoonii Thomas.

Also taken into custody were 22-year-old Tarin Blalock, of Mayetta, 23-year-old Marquis I.A. Moya, of Emporia, 26-year-old Mikey Tyson-Tahdooahnippah, Jr., of Topeka, 32-year-old Blake Cheney, of Wichita, and 21-year-old Cierra Lopez, of Emporia.

Following their arrests, all six were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Thomas, facing charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, driving while suspended, DIU, transporting an open container, and no proof of insurance, is held on a bond of $7,500.

The five others all face similar drug charges, including possession of methamphetamine, and are held on varying bonds.

Tarin J. Blalock - Possession Methamphetamine, Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Marijuana, transporting an open container, Obstruction. Blalock remains in the Jackson County Jail with no bond.

Marqus I.A. Moya - Possession Methamphetamine, Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Marijuana, transporting an open container. Moya was released on $1,500.00 bond.

Mikey C. Tyson-Tahdooahnippah, Jr. - Possession Methamphetamine, Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Marijuana, transporting an open container. Tyson-Tahdooahnippah remains in the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $5,000.00.

Blake A. Cheney - Possession Methamphetamine, Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Marijuana, transporting an open container, trafficking contraband into correctional facility. Cheney remains in the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $7,500.00.

Cierra R. Lopez - Possession Methamphetamine, Possession Drug Paraphernalia, Possession Marijuana, transporting an open container. Lopez remains in the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $3,453.00.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Potawatomi Tribal Police Department also assisted with the case.

Two babies are left alone Friday night while the two adults caring for them engaged in a disturbance.

That's the allegation made by police that led to the arrest of two Atchison residents. “Shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday night, our officers responded to a disturbance call in the 1200 block of North 6th,” Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News. “It was determined that two people involved in the disturbance had left the apartment, and a baby could be heard crying inside the apartment. The officers were able to make entry into the apartment where they found two babies, one being three months old and the other being one-year old, and they had been left unattended. About 15 minutes later, the two involved in a disturbance to the apartment, and are now in custody."

Wilson said 23-year-old Emily Hawkins was arrested on a charge of aggravated endangering a child, domestic battery, and disorderly conduct.

Also arrested was 25-year-old Jason Andre, who was taken into custody on a charge of disorderly conduct.

Following their arrests, both Hawkins and Andre were booked into the Atchison County Jail.

At last check, she remained in custody, held on a bond of $10,000.

Andre's bond was set at $500.

(KLZA)--Friday and Saturday will be the first days of the bi-annual Citywide Cleanup in Falls City.

The place to get rid of almost anything you have sitting around will be Hamilton Recycling &  Disposal at  6th and Stone Street.   

Friday evening from 5-7 and Saturday morning form 9 – noon, Falls City residents can dispose of unwanted items including appliances, TV's & monitors, old furniture, couches, metals, grills, wood, siding, and junk.  

Used oil will be accepted however no household hazardous wastes or toxic chemicals will be accepted.  In addition, you may dispose of old car tires. There will be a $2 fee which may vary by size.

 Free paper shredding will also be offered by Hamilton Recycling and Disposal.  You are limited to 5 boxes  per customer and asked to donate a canned good for each box.

The Falls City “Green  Team” helps organize the Citywide Cleanup event.  This group is passionate about recycling.  

If you are needing help with large items call Hamilton Recycling and Disposal at 402-801-2241 or 402-801-8169 to set up an appointment.  A $10 - $20 fee will be charged based on the items. 

(KNZA)--The Jackson County Treasurer’s Office will be closed on Friday ( April 20) in order for new ceiling tiles and lighting to be installed in the office.

The office will resume regular business hours on Monday, April 23rd.

The treasurer’s office is the first of four offices on the second floor of the Jackson County Courthouse that will receive new ceiling tiles and lighting.

The Holton Recorder reports the County Commission in February approved the purchase of the ceiling tiles from Pro-Ceiling Tiles at a cost of more than $13,000.  In addition, the Commission approved the purchase of LED lighting from Kriz-Davis, of Topeka, for a total cost of nearly $6,500.

In addition to the treasurer’s office, new ceiling tiles and lighting will be installed in the clerk’s, appraiser’s and register of deeds offices at later dates.   

(KLZA)--Humboldt-Table Rock-Steinauer School Board members approved the hiring of three teachers and accepted two resignations during their April 9th meeting.  

The Board accepted the resignations of 1st Grade teacher Kari Case and Special Education teacher Joni Hageman.  

New hires for the 2018-19 school year will include Alicia Gerdes to teach Special Education;  Megan Howe to teach math and Diane Platte will be the new Speech Pathologist.

In other business, the Board approved renewal of teacher contracts.

The lunch prices will go from three-tier to a two-tier system.  The meals will be $2.60 for Pre-Kindergarten through sixth grade and $2.95 for grades 7 – 12.  

The purchase of a Thomas Build bus from Omaha Truck was approved. The price tag will be just over $80-thousand.  Approval was also given for the purchase of a new 10-passenger van at a cost of $28,465. 

(KMZA)--A social media post made by a longtime, former northeast Kansas teacher sheds light on his recent resignation.

According to the post, made Tuesday afternoon on the Facebook account belonging to Michael Hill, the former visual arts and theater teacher at Nemaha Central High School, in Seneca, was the subject of what the post calls, “a pattern of harassment that started back in October 2017.”  

In both the post and during a telephone interview with MSC News, Hill stated it was the harassment, which began shortly after he publicly revealed he's gay,  that led him to make what he calls “the difficult decision” to move to Palm Springs, California. "I enjoyed my time teaching there. Unfortunately, I just felt like I had come to a place where my personal safety was outweighing the ability for me to stay. I had intended to move, but with the situation, I felt like I needed to accelerate my plans, just for my own personal safety and mental well being."

The post includes photographs of three letters received by Hill from someone identifying themselves only as “a concerned patron.”

Each of the three letters inform Hill that he should not be teaching, with the first saying "the homosexual lifestyle is not in keeping with the values of the community,” adding that Hill needed to be fired so he could "take your gay ideas with you."

The letters, which included slurs against homosexuals, grew in intensity. One of the three included threatening language, with the unidentified author saying he or she "need to take matters into my own hands...I know where you live. I know a lot about your schedule. You need to watch your back because I aint [sic]alone."

Two of the letters were mailed to Hill's home, while one was mailed to his school mailbox.

Hill told MSC News, "My biggest reason for posting [the letters] to social media was to draw attention to the hatred that was expressed, and make people aware that it still exists, and really draw attention to the work that we still have as a society to do to make life better for all people."

Seneca Police Chief Jordan Weaver confirmed that his office is conducting a probe into the harassment, but told MSC News that because it's an open investigation he can't offer further comment.

The Board of Education accepted Hill's resignation during their April 9 meeting, as confirmed by USD 115 Superintendent Darrel Kohlman. "Mr. Hill turned in his resignation to the Board. They took it under consideration and they accepted it. Since it's a personnel issue, I'm not willing to go any further than that in our discussion."

Hill's resignation became effective Tuesday.

According to school district records, Hill began teaching at Seneca in 2008. Prior to that, he taught art at Doniphan West, in Highland.

(KAIR)--City of Atchison residents could see a reduction in their homeowner or commercial property insurance.

That comes as the city's Public Fire Protection Classification improves.

Word of the achievement was brought to the Atchison City Commission Monday by City Manager Becky Berger. "We went from a class 4 to a class 3," Berger told the Commission. "That's important because it has a positive impact on our local insurance rates, so we would encourage all citizens to contact their insurance broker and see if they can get a reduction in their property insurance."

According to a news release, the improvement is based on a November 2017 re-evaluation of the City's preparedness for fire emergencies.

Prior to that, the last evaluation was conducted in 2012.

The rating is determined by the Insurance Services Office, which uses a number of factors for its findings. "A lot of that was due to the improvements that the 911 dispatching system and then also our water upgrades contributed to that,” Berger said.

Mayor Allen Reavis took note of the role the water-related improvements played in receiving the new rating. "Heard a lot of criticism about expanding that water, and that we didn't need it and all that," Reavis said. "MGP has not shutdown once since we opened that tank, because the water was low. Now that our fire insurance rate is going down, I hope those people who like to be critical of these projects understands the purpose. This is huge."

The classification change becomes effective June 1.

(KAIR)--The driver of a school bus involved in an Atchison accident described as a case of “erratic driving” is no longer employed by the busing company.

That word comes in a statement released Wednesday by Apple Bus Company Senior Safety Specialist Mike Lyon.

The company is contracted by Atchison's USD 409 to provide busing services for the district.

The company opened an investigation following the accident that happened on April 12.

No students suffered any injuries when the bus ran off the road, on the north side of Atchison, around 3:45 that afternoon.

According to the statement, the driver was first placed on administrative leave as part of an investigation which involved Atchison Police.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the driver, identified as Angela Liewer, was cited for reckless driving. “There's a dam located at Walnut and Harper Drive, and we've been told by another driver that had been in the area that the bus was eastbound [on Harper Drive] and had left the roadway on the north side. We have had it explained to us, both from the witness's point of view, and from the driver's point of view, as to what happened, but that's what led to this charge of reckless driving that she's now been cited for."

According to the police investigation, Liewer had apparently managed to get the bus back on the road, after traveling onto the property surrounding dam #2, with the bus located on north 2nd Street by police shortly following the incident.

According to the statement from Apple Bus, the driver chose not to return to work, and failed to respond to what the statement says were the company's “repeated request for information related to the investigation,” meaning Liewer is no longer employed with the company.

(MSC News)--A man, wanted in connection with an an Atchison county arson, and for allegedly fleeing from authorities in southeast Nebraska, is in custody.

According to a one sentence statement released to MSC News by the Richardson County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office, 20-year-old Braiden Guido has been arrested in Summit County, Utah.

He was the subject of a search following the issuance of a felony Richardson County warrant for his arrest.

Guido is a suspect in an Atchison County case involving the the theft of a vehicle on the night of March 31 from a residence located on Bourbon Road, in Atchison County.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the theft followed a burglary, and is also connected to the alleged arson of another stolen vehicle found wrecked and on fire, not far from the burglarized residence, that same night.

According to the Richadson County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office, the car stolen from the residence was involved in an April 2 pursuit in the area of Salem, Nebraska.

The driver of the stolen car is identified as Guido.

According to the release, the pursuit began when a Deputy attempted to stop the car as part of a search for a wanted felon, identified as Michael Tinsley.

During the pursuit, it's alleged that another vehicle, driven by 19-year-old Gabrielle Guido, began to chase the Deputy.

The pursuit was terminated in the Salem Cemetery when Braiden Guido allegedly drove through a cemetery fence, across a snow covered pasture and then through another fence.

The release says Gabrielle Guido lost control of her vehicle in the cemetery and came to a stop on top of a small tree, narrowly missing the patrol vehicle.

She was arrested for willful reckless driving, minor in possession of alcohol and open alcohol container.

Guido eluded authorities until his Utah capture.

Tinsley remains on the run.

(KMZA)--Nemaha County has been awarded a state grant for the construction of a  new public transit and senior meal facility.

County Senior Services/Public Transit Director Diane Yunghans informed  the Nemaha County Commission Monday of the grant award in the amount of $390,000 from the Kansas Department of Transportation.

The grant would pay 80 percent of half of the cost of the proposed facility.  The county would be expected to match the grant with 20% of the cost for half of the building, and pay the other half of the cost.

Yunghans presented Commissioners with rough drawings for a 5,400-square-foot facility that would contain a transit waiting area, van storage, meeting rooms and transit offices along with expanded kitchen and dining area.

She told Commissioners she feels the best location for the new facility would be on county-owned property west of the courthouse, the former Seneca Grade School site.

Commissioners Monday stopped short of committing to the project.  The Commission directed Yunghans to get a traffic analysis done at the proposed location, which is a requirement of the grant, and to bring back a closer estimate of the cost of the new facility before a decision is made whether or not to proceed with the project.

Commissioners also learned Monday that the county has been awarded a nearly $446,000 grant from KDOT to update and replace all of the road signs along county roads south of U.S. 36 Highway.  The grant requires no county match.

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission has approved an Eagle Scout project at the City Lake.

Local Boy Scout Jack Rosa appeared before the Commission Monday evening to request approval to plant around 20 trees at the lake.

He said he recently saw that the city had removed the locust trees around the lake, and for his Eagle Scout project would like to replace them with a variety of trees native to the Hiawatha area.

Rosa says he plans to start planting the trees May 4th, and will take care of them for three years.

The Commission gave Rosa approval to proceed with the project.

In other business, local resident Paul Shaefer appeared before the Commission to seek permission to organize a clean-up project along the city’s walking trail.  

Shaefer said he noticed a bunch of trash along the path between the high school parking lot and Little Hands Daycare when his family participated in the Chamber’s Easter egg hunt.

He said he would like to enlist the help of community volunteers for the clean-up, and would ask the city to pay for trash bags, rubber gloves and landfill fees.

While a date hasn’t been set yet, he said the cleanup event probably would take place around the end of May.   

Commissioner Toni Hull said she would like to volunteer to help with the cleanup and challenged her fellow Commissioners to do the same.

Commissioners gave their approval for Shaefer to proceed with his plans.

(KNZA)--Saturday, April 21st has been designated as “Highland City-Wide Cleanup Day.”  

Student athletes from Highland Community College will be available to assist in the removal of allowed items.

There will be a dumpster in the old depot area (East Pennsylvania & South Nebraska) from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m.

Any Highland resident can use the dumpster to dispose of items—including old appliances, air conditioners, mowers, furniture,  sinks, tubs and toilets, bedsprings and mattresses.

The city will not be able to help residents dispose of hazardous waste.  

The burn pile at the bottom of the hill east of Highland is open once again for residents to use for disposal of yard waste and tree limbs but NOT FOR TRASH!

If you need help transferring items to the dumpster, or picking up yard debris, you may ask for assistance by calling the Highland City Hall at 785-442-3765.

(KNZA)--A former Jackson County volunteer firefighter, accused of setting a string of  grass fires, has pleaded no contest to charges.

The Holton Recorder reports 27-year-old Jacob Grant entered the plea last week in Jackson County District Court to three counts of arson.

In exchange for the plea, 10 other arson counts were dismissed.

Sentencing was set for May 11th.

Grant was arrested March 21st following an investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.

Authorities say Grant alleged set numerous grass fires between February 28th and March 20th in southwestern Jackson County, and then responded as a member of the Delia Fire Department.  

Grant remains in the Jackson County Jail.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer has signed an education funding bill despite a multi-million dollar flaw in the bill's language.

Because of an accounting error, the bill calls for a $454 million spending increase, which is $80 million less than intended.

The bill is aimed at addressing a state Supreme Court's ruling that funding for schools is inadequate. A lawyer for the school districts that sued the state said the bill doesn't do enough to address that problem.

During Tuesday's signing at a Topeka High School, Colyer spoke in support of the bill but called on lawmakers to fix the error when they reconvene April 26.

( AP)--Missouri Attorney General Josh Hawley says he believes there's enough evidence to bring a criminal charge and pursue impeachment of Gov. Eric Greitens for allegedly using a charity donor list for political purposes. 

Hawley said Tuesday that his investigation found probable cause to believe Grietens took a donor list from The Mission Continues without the permission of the veterans charity he founded, and used that list for his gubernatorial campaign in 2015. 

He said he referred the case to the St. Louis prosecutor for a potential felony charge of tampering with computer data. He also referred the matter to a House committee that will be recommending whether to impeach Greitens. 

The Associated Press first reported in October 2016 that Greitens' campaign had obtained a list of top donors to The Mission Continues and raised nearly $2 million for his campaign from donors on that list. 

(KAIR)--If a small helicopter is seen flying overhead, there's no need for concern: instead, it's just Westar Energy conducting power line inspections.

According to a news release from the energy provider, the specially equipped helicopters are flying along sections of the transmission system in order to capture images that will be used to help identify areas that may need maintenance and to create a more modern record of the transmission system.

The documentation will be used to improve power grid efficiency and reliability.

One helicopter is yellow and white while the other is red.

The release says inspections are generally being conducted from two hours after dawn until two hours before sunset, and may occur on weekends.

The work is expected to last through the middle of the month.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission did not have to go far in its search for a new county economic development director.

Following an executive session Monday, the Commission voted to hire Leah Johnson to fill the full-time position, effective immediately.

Johnson has been serving as interim director since the resignation of  Adrienne Korson last month, and as part-time administrative assistant since April of last year.

Johnson will be paid a salary of $3,416 per month, plus benefits, for a period of 90 days.  Upon completion of the probationary period, her annual salary will increase to $43,000.

Korson resigned effective March 13th to take a job with the Greater Wichita Partnership as an economic development specialist.

(KAIR)--A public push to create a skateboard park in the City of Atchison.

The proposal was brought to the Atchison City Commission Monday by Atchison residents Jeremy Watkins and Pam Cline.

The couple has gathered 1,300 signatures of support for the project, and has been addressing their goal of seeing it built with the City's Parks and Forestry Board.

The push is being done in memory of Cline's son, Joshua Kinsman, who died in January at the age of 17.

Watkins cited Kinsman's passion for skating, and his desire to see a skate-park in the city, as the reason behind the push. "We want to put it in that open lot by Sonic," Watkins told the Commission. "It's vacant...we know what he's asking. Honestly, where we're at is we're trying to figure out the financial support for it."

Although the Commission voiced approval for a skate-park, the Main Street location wasn't immediately embraced, as voiced by Mayor Allen Reavis. “It's great to build something, but then you have to maintain it. There's insurance and liability," Reavis told Watkins and Cline. 

Watkins laid out a list of reasons why that site would be the best fit for the project, including the centralized location, easy ability for police to patrol, and benefits to nearby businesses.

Commission discussion focused on exploring alternative locations prior to any decision being made.

Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont said a special meeting, focused on the proposal, is planned for later this month. “We actually have a special Parks and Forestry Board meeting scheduled for [April 30] to try and work through some of those issues. Just to be very open about it, staff has some concerns with that location, mostly about ongoing maintenance and size of the lot, and some other things like that. Those are issues we can work through. By the time of that meeting, we'll have kind of an alternatives analysis put together on a series of different options for where to locate that."

The skate-park wasn't the only park's related issue to come before the Commission.

Dr. Brandon Tackett, during the session, outlined in detail the proposal to locate a second disc golf course in the city.

It would be located on the eastern side of Warnock Lake.

A formal request to make it happen will be considered by the Commission in the future.

Numerous other issues were also tackled during the evening, with additional discussion including the handling of vicious dogs, likely through a future tethering law, the condition of Oak Hill Cemetery, rehabilitation of city sidewalks, and the adjustment of zoning fees.

(KLZA)-- The attorney for a man charged in the 2010 disappearance of a Peru State College student is seeking to toss out a murder charge.

Monday's arraignment of 36-year-old Joshua Keadle ended with his attorney, Jeff Pickens, filing a plea in abatement.

Pickens, with the Nebraska Commission on Public Advocacy, argues there is not enough evidence to send the case to District Court.

Keadle is charged in connection with the December, 2010 disappearance of 19-year-old Peru State College student Tyler “Ty” Thomas.

Nemaha County, Nebraska, District Court Judge Rick Schreiner took the matter under advisement and ordered attorney's on both sides to submit written briefs before he decides if the case should move to arraignment.   

Keadle's attorney argued during a March 1, preliminary hearing that without a body or cause of death there was not even circumstantial evidence to show Thomas was murdered.

Nemaha County Court Judge  Curtis Maschman found that the prosecution had submitted enough evidence to move the case to District Court for arraignment.

The body of Thomas has never been found. She was declared legally dead in 2013. Keadle is believed to be the last person to see her alive. A few days after her disappearance, Keadle told law enforcement officials that he left her alive near the Peru boat dock along the Missouri River. 

Monday's court proceedings were conducted at the Johnson County Courthouse in Tecumseh. 

(KLZA)--A Mississippi truck driver sustained what were described as moderate injuries in a single-vehicle wreck early Monday morning in Holt County, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 60-year-old John Collins of Vardamn, Mississippi was headed north on Interstate 29, about seven miles south of Mound City, when his semi tractor trailer traveled off the west shoulder.  The semi struck an embankment, becoming airborne before coming to rest in the median on its wheels.

Vardamn was transported by the Atchison-Holt EMS to Fairfax Community Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

The wreck was reported around 3:30 Monday morning.

(KNZA)--The Brown County Historical Society has hired a new executive director/curator.

Lynn Marie Allen, of Horton, will begin work Thursday.

She was hired earlier this month on the recommendation of a search committee.

The Historical Society says Allen is a certified professional with a strong background in human resources.

The organization says Allen has extensive experience in working with training staff, administrating federal, state and local grant programs along with coordinating services among various agencies.

She has a bachelor’s degree in human service management and three master’s degrees.

Allen will replace Elizabeth Lane who resigned in February to become the new director of the Hiawatha Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau after serving as director of the Historical Society since May of last year.

(KAIR)--A Denison man, who became the subject of a search after he disappeared, has been located. 

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, says James David Nelson was located, alive and well, Monday evening at a Jackson County residence. 

That followed an extensive Jackson County search Monday, utilizing aircraft belonging to the Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism watercraft, as well as UTV's and ATV's. 

The 42-year-old Nelson disappeared April 12th, with Morse Sunday calling on the public to assist with locating him. 

(KAIR)--A vehicle is found wrecked in Atchison County, but the search continues for whoever was driving the car at the time of the crash.

According to Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie, the 2003 Saturn was discovered near Potter, in the area of 210th Road, west of Rooks Road, Sunday evening.

Deputies responded to the location after the wreck was reported, and discovered the car heavily damaged.

It's believed it left the roadway and struck a tree sometime between 5:30 and 6:30 Sunday evening.

Laurie says no one was with the vehicle when the Deputies arrived, and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the wreck should contact the Atchison County Sheriff's Office.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man, accused of climbing onto the roof of a downtown Atchison business in order to break-in, has been arrested.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News Dennis Wolfe allegedly made the attempt early Monday morning, but was thwarted when officers arrived and found him hiding on the roof. "It was shortly after midnight, on Monday morning, when the officers responded to the 700 block of Commercial, where a subject was seen on the roof of a downtown building. Once upon the roof, he had pried open a screen and a window on the second floor of Poor Richards, but was taken into custody before he actually made entry."

The 47-year-old Wolfe faces a charge of burglary.

Following his arrest, Wolfe was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KAIR)--Saint Joseph police are searching for the shooter in a weekend homicide.

KQ2-TV reports it happened shortly after 9:00 Sunday night on the city's Highly Street.

When police arrived at the location, they found 49-year-old William Talbott laying in front of a residence, suffering from a gunshot wound to his torso.

Transported to Mosaic Life Care in Saint Joseph, Talbott was pronounced dead.

No suspects have yet been located.

Anyone with information about the shooting are urged to contact police.

TECUMSEH, Neb. (AP) - Authorities say no injuries or damage have been reported following a brief disturbance at a prison in southeast Nebraska.
 
 The Nebraska Correctional Services Department reports that 36 inmates had refused to return to their cells Saturday evening at the Tecumseh State Prison. It's unclear what led to the rebellious acts.
 
 But the department says the prisoners were back in their cells by the time a prison riot response team entered the maximum security housing unit.
 
The prison's had a troubled history. Inmates took control of a portion of the prison and killed two fellow inmates in March 2015. In March last year, two more inmates were slain by other prisoners during rioting.

Editors note: the following was submitted by Hiawatha Police Chief John Defore

Beginning April 20th thru April 22nd, the Hiawatha Police Department will join other Law Enforcement agencies in Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma to stop what has been an increasing epidemic for the past several years.

In an effort to change this trend, law enforcement across the six-state area will be extra-vigilant when patrolling around city, state and federal highways. Our injury and deaths continue to increase from both alcohol and drugged impaired drivers. Regardless whether a drug is legal or illegal it’s a serious crime to drive while impaired by any drug. We can no longer share our roadways with these drugged impaired drivers. Impaired driving is not a victimless crime.

All available Drug Recognition Expert and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driver Enforcement officers will be out in force in an effort to remove this danger. Officers will issue citations to any individual who refuses to obey the traffic laws, whether it is for driving while impaired, for speeding, texting, or failing to buckle up. If a suspected violator refuses to submit to a blood test, a search warrant can be obtained for that individual’s blood.

Why 4/20 as a date to draw attention to drugged driving epidemic, simple it’s the day where people on 4/20 at 4:20 PM light up their drugs as a celebration. JAMA (Journal of American Medicine Association) has found a 12 % increase in the relative risk of a fatal crash compared to identical time intervals on control days.

“Even one death is unacceptable. Please don’t drive while impaired, slow down, put the phone away or turn it off, and always buckle up.”

Respectfully,

John A. Defore

Chief of Police

(KMZA)--A Seneca man is seeking to represent the 62nd District in the Kansas House.

Melvin Baker recently filed by petition at the Secretary of State’s Office for the Democratic nomination.

The Secretary of State’s Office is currently verifying his petition, although  Baker says he submitted well over the number of names of registered Democrats needed.  

Baker is a retired middle school and high school government/civics teacher.  He still substitutes and teaches driver’s education classes.

Baker is the only Democrat to file so far.

Sabetha Republican Randy Garber currently represents the 62nd District and  is seeking another two-year term.  He has held the position since 2011.

The 62nd District includes Brown and Nemaha Counties along with portions of Atchison and Jackson Counties.

Candidates have until noon, June 1st to file.

The primary election will be held August 7th, and the general election is November 6th.  
         

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - Authorities say a former St. Joseph elementary school librarian stole nearly $11,000 from the school's Parent Teacher Association.
The St. Joseph News-Press reports that 39-year-old Brian Smith is charged with felony stealing.

The theft is alleged to have occurred while Smith worked at Parkway Elementary School and served as the PTA treasurer. Police say Smith used the PTA's debit card more than 50 times to make unauthorized purchases or ATM withdrawals starting in 2016.

The district said in a statement that school officials learned of the allegations against Smith on Feb. 1 and informed police investigators the next day. The district said its director of finances cooperated with police, although no school funds were involved.

(MSC News)--The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a Denison man that has been missing since last week.

According to a news release issued Sunday afternoon by Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, 42-year-old James David Nelson was reported missing Thursday, April 12.

Nelson was believed to possibly be suicidal at the time of his disappearance.

Law enforcement has been searching the area for Nelson, and recovered his vehicle on the south side of Banner Lake Reservoir on Saturday.

If anyone has any information as to Nelson’s whereabouts, or the circumstances that led to his disappearance, please contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

(KMZA)--The Nemaha Central Board of Education has approved two new hires for next school year.

During their April 9th meeting, Mayberry was approved for a science teaching position at the high school and Bethany Griffiths for an early childhood/elementary classroom position at the elementary school.

Current 4th grade teacher Jessica Koch was approved to be a half-time lead teacher and half-time classroom teacher for next school year.

Several resignations were accepted---including high school art teacher Michael Hill, special education teacher Sherri Alverson and special education para Nicole Bowers.

In other business, the Board voted to have a special meeting on Monday, April 30 beginning at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the proposed classroom addition and perhaps high school locker room renovations. The motion was made after new blueprints from Horst, Terrill & Karst Architects were presented. The Board will discuss the Construction Manager At-Risk option and funding for the projects.

A proposal from N-L Driveway to seal and coat the two parking lots was approved. The elementary parking lot was bid at $4,800 and the high school bid was $19,100. School maintenance staff will paint the lots when the work is complete.

And the USD 115 Board heard a request from High School welding instructor Paul Wertenberger for the purchase a CNC plasma cutter for a cost of nearly $8,000. The board moved to table action on the request until the May meeting.

(KAIR)--Three Republicans seeking to become the next Governor of Kansas debated in Atchison Friday evening.

Fielding questions were current Governor Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, and State Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer. 

The debate, held at the Atchison Event Center, was presented by the Kansas Republican Party.

The questions were posed by moderator Dr. Edward Mulholland, Associate Professor of World and Classical Language and Literature at Atchison's Benedictine College.

Questions during the 90-minute debate ranged from issues related to school funding to the age requirement for concealed carry in the state.

According to Atchison County Republican Central Committee Chair Derek Franklin, students from the Atchison High School broadcast class, under the direction of instructor Robert Neidinger, handled the audio and visual aspects of the debate.

(KAIR)--Republican candidates seeking the role of Kansas Governor, are debating this hour at the Atchison Event Center. 

On-stage are Governor Jeff Colyer, Secretary of State Kris Kobach, and State Insurance Commissioner Ken Selzer. 

To watch the debate, go here. 

(KAIR)--Arrests are made as part of an ongoing Atchison County investigation focused on the sale of methamphetamine.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the two arrests wrap-up a week-long probe into the distribution of meth.

Arrested are 35-year-old Richard Croft, of Rushville, Missouri and 34-year-old Tracy Filley, of Atchison.

Croft had been the focus of the probe, with deputies having allegedly purchased methamphetamine from Croft on two separate occasions.  

Laurie says both Croft and Filley were in a vehicle stopped by his

Deputies, and the Kansas Highway Patrol, Wednesday evening, with the agencies knowing that Croft was wanted on a Kansas Department of Corrections warrant for a parole violation. "Once we were able to find him that evening, we were able to make an arrest for his parole violation warrant that he had, and that continued into a search warrant that we executed."

The search warrant was executed early Thursday morning at 304 South 21st Street, in Atchison.

It was there, Laurie says, that more than 20 grams of methamphetamine, along with a small amount of marijuana, were found in the home, and seized.

Filley, who was apparently staying at the residence with Croft, faces charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and no drug tax stamp.

Croft faces charges of distribution of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp in relation to the search warrant.

He also faces separate charges for distribution of methamphetamine and use of a communication facility in the commission of a drug felony, stemming from the alleged meth purchases made by Deputies.

Both Filley and Croft remain in the Atchison County Jail.

She's held on a bond of $15,000, while he's held on a bond of $20,000.

(KAIR)--An Atchison investigation, focused on the possession of methamphetamine that began last year, leads to one arrest.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 40-year-old Kansas City, Missouri resident Angela Smith was arrested Tuesday. “We did conduct an investigation on the afternoon of August 24, late last summer, and that investigation focused on a 40-year-old Kansas City woman who was in the area of 22nd and Forest Park Avenue,” Wilson said. “We had actually been alerted to respond there to check on the welfare of a woman. We found her on foot in the area. Checking on her led to an investigation with the discovery of methamphetamine and drug parapharnelia. She was taken into custody in recent days in Jackson County, Missouri, and then has since been brought to Atchison."

Smith was taken into custody on an Atchison County District Court warrant for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following her arrest, Smith was booked into the Atchison County Jail, held on a $10,000 bond.

(MSC News)--A Tornado Watch has been issued for portions of northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri.

The National Weather Service issued the watch Friday afternoon.

It includes the local Kansas counties of Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jefferson, Jackson and Leavenworth, as well as the local Missouri counties of Buchanan, Platte, and Andrew.

The Tornado Watch will remain in place until 9:00 Friday night.

(MSC News)--A Tornado Watch has been issued for portions of northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri.

The National Weather Service issued the watch Friday afternoon.

It includes the local Kansas counties of Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jefferson, Jackson and Leavenworth, as well as the local Missouri counties of Buchanan, Platte, and Andrew.

The Tornado Watch will remain in place until 9:00 Friday night.

(KAIR)--The former Secretary for the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas has been found guilty in connection with fraud committed during his time in that role.

According to a news release issued Friday by the Kickapoo Tribe, Adolph Cadue, Jr. was convicted this week on two counts of tampering with records and one count of fraudulent handling of recordable instruments.

Six other criminal counts faced by Cadue were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Cadue's conviction came after Judge C. Steven Hager, Judge of the Kicakpoo Nation, accepted a no contest plea entered by Cadue.

Sentencing for Cadue is scheduled for May 21.

Former Treasurer Bobbi Darnell was convicted by a jury, and former Chairman Steve Cadue pled no contest in November, on similar criminal charges.

The complaints allege that the former tribal council officials took action to draw down money from the tribe’s federal burial fund then falsified resolutions showing the tribal council action was for a much greater amount.

Based on those resolutions, excessive amounts were then transferred from the tribe’s burial fund held by the federal government on behalf of the Tribe to the Tribe’s bank account where the money was used to subsidize payroll and other tribal expenses.

(KNZA)--Atchison County's USD 377 Board of Education has approved a resolution increasing the district’s capital outlay authority.

The resolution, approved at Wednesday evening’s meeting in Effingham, gives the district the authority to levy up to 8 mills, if the need arises.

Currently, the district has the authority to levy up to 4 mills.

The money is used for making necessary improvements and repairs to district facilities as well as for the purchase of vehicles and buses. According to information provided by the district, 67 percent of the funds currently go toward the district’s energy efficiency bond payment, limiting the ability for the district to properly maintain its facilities to the level they need to be maintained.

School district officials say without the additional capital outlay authority, the district will need to use instructional funds to make needed improvements and repairs.

The capital outlay resolution is subject to a protest petition.

In other business, the Board approved a job description for the new position of transportation director and granted permission to advertise to fill the position.

The district currently has numerous people handing various aspects of the transportation department. School district officials say having one individual responsible for all of transportation will allow the district to be more efficient and serve its students better. In addition, it will also free up other staff that are splitting time between their main positions and their requirements with transportation.

(MSC News)--Mark your calendars for a Spring Tea — “Tea-time with Mom,” set for Saturday, May 12 at the Fisher Center in Hiawatha.

The Hiawatha Chamber and Visitors Bureau is joining with the Hiawatha Parks and Rec Department to bring a spectacular occasion for ladies of all ages to take in a “tea-time,” just in time for Mother’s Day!

The HCVB will be sponsoring the adult tea — at 3 p.m. that day — where guests will have the opportunity to enjoy some wonderful tea and scrumptious tea-time delicacies, as well as view close to three dozen tables decorated in various themes.

Entertainment will also be provided during the adult tea and there will be Silent Auction items to bid on.

The Chamber is inviting local businesses and organizations to design tables in various themes and will be collecting items for the Silent Auction. All proceeds from the adult tea will benefit the Hiawatha Chamber.

The Hiawatha Parks & Rec will be sponsoring the Children’s Tea — set for the same time at 3 p.m. — for kids age 4 through fourth grade. There promises to be some fun activities, great snacks and a wonderful “Tea” time to be had.

The doors will open at 2 p.m. that day, as guests are encouraged to come early for table viewing and to bid on the Silent Auction items.

Prospective business and organization designers are asked to contact the Hiawatha Chamber at hiawathachamber@rainbowtel.net or call 742-7136 to sign up for a table and/or reserve advance tickets. Tickets for the tea will be $20 each and only table designers will be able to reserve them through the month of March. Tickets went on sale to the public April 1st.

If there are other individuals interested in being a table designer, please contact the Chamber as well to be put on a list.

Tickets for the Children’s Tea also went on sale April 1 to the public and will be $10 each. Contact HP&R Director Stacy Jasper at sjasper@cityofhiawatha.org or call 742-7176.
 

(KNZA)-- Brown County plans to outsource the job of overseeing the county payroll.

County Clerk Melissa Gormley made the recommendation at Monday’s  County Commission Monday following the resignation of the county’s payroll clerk.

Instead of hiring another full-time payroll clerk, Gormley recommended the county outsource the job.

Gormley said the move would save the county about $16,000 a year.

She said she talked with Hiawatha CPA Jake Wisdom about providing the service.

The Commission approved having Gormley draw up a contract with Wisdom CPAs for approval at next week’s meeting.

(KLZA)--The Falls City Police Department is investigating the theft of two pickups.

The first pickup is a 1998, green Dodge Q35. The second is a 2002 gray, Chevrolet K2500 pickup with a snow plow attached.

Anyone with information about the vehicles is asked to please contact the Falls City Police Department at 402-245-4422.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A federal judge has dismissed a Nebraska inmate's lawsuit alleging prison officials failed to protect him from gangs and fires in a 2015 riot that left two dead.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the lawsuit was tossed out last week. The judge found no evidence that prison staff were deliberately indifferent to Brian Guerry's health and safety in the May 10, 2015 riot at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.

Guerry alleges he was exposed to burning plastic and blood in water in his cell for days after the riot. He alleges prison staff allowed general population inmates to prey on protective custody inmates in the riot.

Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf says prison official's actions were responses to the emergency situation and not due to "sadistic or malicious intent."
 

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - A federal judge has dismissed a Nebraska inmate's lawsuit alleging prison officials failed to protect him from gangs and fires in a 2015 riot that left two dead.

The Lincoln Journal Star reports that the lawsuit was tossed out Friday. The judge found no evidence that prison staff were deliberately indifferent to Brian Guerry's health and safety in the May 10, 2015 riot at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.

Guerry alleges he was exposed to burning plastic and blood in water in his cell for days after the riot. He alleges prison staff allowed general population inmates to prey on protective custody inmates in the riot.

Senior U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf says prison official's actions were responses to the emergency situation and not due to "sadistic or malicious intent."
 

(KNZA)--Three Atchison residents-including a three-year-old child--escaped serious injury in a Thursday evening two-vehicle Jefferson County  wreck.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 18-year-old John Robinson was southbound on U.S. 59, about 11 miles north of Oskaloosa, when he attempted to make a left turn onto Rogers Road. Robinson's car crossed the center line to make the turn, striking a northbound car driven by 48-year-old Leona Motsinger head-on.

Robinson, Motsinger and a three-year-old passenger in Motsinger's vehicle, Camlynne Boyle, were  transported to Topeka's Stormont-Vail Hospital with what the Patrol described as possible injuries.

The Patrol all the occupants were properly restrained when the wreck happened shortly after 8:30 Thursday evening.  

(KLZA)--A new mini-van has been secured for Richardson County Transit.  

Funds are being raised now to help cover some of the extra costs for the new van.  Richardson County has agreed to fund the required matching funds to help secure the 2018 Dodge Caravan.

Other costs associated with the van are not covered including registration, taxes and for a logo on the sides of the van.

Richardson County Transit Manager Brenda Guilliams says not be be surprised if someone approaches you about a donation for the fundraiser.

Donations are being sought for a silent auction to be held on-line may 14th – 18th.  You can go to the SENCA Facebook page to submit a bid or do it in person at the Falls City seniro  Center in the Transit Office.  

Bids will be accepted until 2 o'clock on Friday afternoon, May 18th with the winning bids announced on Monday, May 21.

All proceeds will benefit the Richardson County Transit Program.  Currently two vans are in use, both have in excess of 100,000 miles on them. 

(KNZA)--The transportation of a large load along local highways early Friday morning could have an affect on motorists making their morning commute.

Brown County Sheriff John Merchant says an oversized load carrying a transformer will be traveling across K-20 Highway through Horton to K-7 Highway.

Merchant says the transformer is expected to start making its way through the local area between 7:00 and 7:30 Friday morning.

Merchant says the load is 180 feet long, 18 feet wide and weighs over 500,000 pounds.

He says motorists should expect delays.

The transformer is being transported to the Iatan power plant in Platte County, Missouri.

(KAIR)--An Atchison traffic stop sends an Atchison man to jail on drug charges.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 52-year-old Wallace Harper, Sr., was arrested Monday. “An investigation resulting from a traffic stop in the 500 block of Park Street, on Monday evening, resulted in drug charges,” Wilson said.

Harper faces charges of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while suspended, and expired tags.

Following his arrest, Harper was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KAIR)--A Jefferson County man is indicted by a federal grand jury for tax fraud.

According to a news release from the office of U.S. Attorrney Stephen McAllister, the indictment, charging David Monhollon with seven counts of willful failure to pay over employment taxes to the IRS, was returned Wednesday.

According to the indictment, Monhollon failed to pay over federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes withheld from the wages paid to employees of his medical staffing company, First Call Medical Group. The indictment alleges that Monhollon was the owner of First Call and was obligated to pay over to the IRS such payroll taxes on behalf of his company. Instead of remitting the money to the IRS, Monhollon allegedly used the funds to pay for personal expenses including racecar parts and equipment. .

If convicted, Monhollon faces a statutory maximum sentence of five years in prison for each count. He also faces a period of supervised release, restitution and monetary penalties. 

Announcement of the indictment was made in conjunction with Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Richard Zuckerman of the Justice Department's Tax Division.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas plans to post mug shots of people who owe back child support in an effort to shame them into paying or get tips on their location.

The Wichita Eagle reports the program called Child Support Evaders features a website hosted on the Kansas Department for Children and Families showing people who owe more than $5,000 in late support. It includes their name, photo, amount owed, number of children owed support. It also allows the public to submit tips anonymously on where the person might be located.

The initiative is among a growing number of similar programs around the country.

 Arizona launched a campaign in 2016 to post on Facebook and Twitter the names and photos of individuals behind on support. Texas, Louisiana and Georgia also have similar programs.
 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas could soon provide free college admission testing to its high school students.

A provision in a school finance bill approved by legislators would set aside $2.8 million for one ACT test and three WorkKeys vocational assessments for each student statewide.

Republican Sen. Molly Baumgardner of Louisburg said Tuesday that ACT tests are critical to college applications but are often too expensive for some students.

The State Department of Education says that in 2017, 60 percent of high school graduates took the ACT nationwide and 73 percent in Kansas. Baumgardner wants 100 percent.

Baumgardner said with free ACT testing, every student will have a chance to show colleges what they know, making higher education more accessible. She is an author of the provision and the Senate Education Committee's chairwoman.

(KMZA)--More than $90,000 in cuts have been approved at the Wetmore Attendance Center for next school year.

Prairie Hills USD 113 Superintendent Todd Evans says the Board of Education took the action during their regular meeting Monday evening to meet viability standards set for the school.

Among the cuts is the elimination of an elementary teaching position, art teacher one half day per week and part-time evening custodian.

The elimination of the elementary teaching position is being made through attrition, with the retirement resignation of a teacher at the end of the current school year.

The art teacher elimination will transfer the burden of teaching art to the classroom teachers, from the teacher who travels to Wetmore for one half day per week.

The main challenge being faced at the Wetmore school is a declining enrollment.

With the potential of 74 kindergarten students for next school year, Evans says the Board approved the hiring of an additional teacher for the Sabetha Elementary School. Three sections of kindergarten are currently provided.

The USD 113 Board also approved the purchase of new K-8 science textbooks at a total cost of about $75,000.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas is seeking to put the brakes on out-of-state gubernatorial candidates after 10 people living outside its borders took the initial steps to run.

 The Kansas City Star reports that Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Tuesday that he's filed a lawsuit as part of an effort to keep non-residents out of the race.

He said in a statement that it appears lawmakers always intended candidates for Kansas governor to reside in the state. He says he's asking the court to interpret Kansas law, which currently says nothing about candidates' age or residency.

News coverage about the lack of requirements has led to a slew of teenagers and non-Kansans forming campaign committees for a gubernatorial run. A man even tried, and failed, to get his dog on the ballot.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens initiated a physically aggressive unwanted sexual encounter with his hairdresser and threatened to distribute a partially nude photo of her if she spoke about it, according to testimony from the woman released Wednesday by a House investigatory committee.

The graphic report details multiple instances in which the woman said Greitens spanked, slapped, grabbed, shoved and called her derogatory names during a series of sexual encounters as he was preparing to run for office in 2015. The testimony contradicts Greitens' previous assertions that "there was no violence" and "no threat of violence" in what he has described as a consensual extramarital affair.

The report, signed by all five Republicans and two Democrats on the committee, describes the woman's testimony as credible and notes that Greitens has so far declined to testify or provide documents to the panel. But it outlines some of the Republican governor's public comments that appear to run counter to her allegations.

Flanked by other top Republican legislative leaders, House Speaker Todd Richardson announced that the special committee will expand its mission and make recommendations after the May 18 end of the regular legislative session on whether to pursue impeachment proceedings seeking to remove Greitens from office.

The special House investigation was initiated shortly after Greitens was indicted in February on a felony invasion-of-privacy charge for taking a nonconsensual photo of the partially nude woman and transmitting it in a way that could be accessed by a computer. The woman told the committee that Greitens took the photo after manipulating her into a compromising position during an unwanted sexual encounter and that he told her "everyone will know what a little whore you are" if she told anyone about him.

Greitens, 44, has refused to directly answer media questions about whether he took the photo, but he has steadfastly denied any criminal wrongdoing. He said he expects to be proven innocent during this trial, which is scheduled for May 14.

Speaking shortly before the report was released, Greitens told reporters gathered at the Capitol that he expected it to contain "lies and falsehoods" and reaffirmed his commitment to remaining in office.

"This is a political witch hunt," Greitens said, invoking one of President Donald Trump's favored criticisms of unwanted investigations. Greitens later added: "This is exactly like what's happening with the witch hunts in Washington, D.C."

Richardson called the women's testimony "beyond disturbing" and defended the integrity of the investigation. He said: "Let me be very clear about this: This is not a witch hunt, and the committee had no political agenda."

If the House were to impeach Greitens, the Senate then would choose seven jurists to conduct a trial on whether Greitens should be ousted. The impeachment process can occur independently of a criminal case.

The report prompted Republican U.S. Senate candidate Josh Hawley to call for Greitens' resignation. Hawley, the state's attorney general, said the report contains "shocking, substantial, and corroborated evidence of wrongdoing by Governor Greitens."

Hawley is seeking Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill's seat, and she and Democratic state legislative leaders also called for Greitens' resignation. Democrats have been running TV ads linking Greitens to Hawley.

According to the report, the woman testified that she met Greitens in 2013 as a customer of her hair salon. She said she had a crush on Greitens but was shocked when he ran his hand up her leg and touched her crotch without her consent during a March 2015 hair appointment. He later invited her to his St. Louis home while his wife was out of town.

After she arrived through the back door, the report said that the woman testified Greitens searched her purse and "patted her down from head-to-toe." He then asked if she had exercised and had her change into a white T-shirt with a slit on the top and pajama pants.

"I thought, oh, this is going to be some sort of sexy workout," the woman testified.

But once in his basement, Greitens taped her hands to pull-up rings, blindfolded her, started kissing her, ripped open the shirt and pulled down her pants, the woman testified. She didn't give consent to be disrobed or kissed, the report said. The woman testified that she then heard a click, like of a cellphone picture, and saw a flash.

The woman testified that Greitens told her: "Don't even mention my name to anybody at all, because if you do, I'm going to take these pictures, and I'm going to put them everywhere I can. They are going to be everywhere, and then everyone will know what a little whore you are."

When she remained silent, the woman said Greitens "spanked me and said, 'Are you going to mention my name?' And I said, I just gritted through my teeth, and I said, 'No.' And he's like, 'Good, now that's a good girl.'"

"I was definitely fearful," the woman testified to the legislative committee.

After telling Greitens, "I don't want this," the woman testified that Greitens unbound her hands. She said she started "uncontrollably crying." She said Greitens then grabbed her in a hug and laid her down. She said he put his penis near her face and she gave him oral sex. Asked by the committee whether the oral sex was coerced, she responded: "Coerced, maybe. I felt as though that would allow me to leave."

The woman testified that she confronted him later that day about the photo and he responded: "You have to understand, I'm running for office, and people will get me, and I have to have some sort of thing to protect myself." Then she said Greitens added: "I felt bad, so I erased it."

The House committee report said it doesn't possess any physical or electronic evidence of the photo. Prosecutors in his criminal case previously acknowledged that they don't have the photo, though they could be trying to obtain it.

The woman's name never has been officially released; it is redacted from the legislative documents and she is identified only by her initials in court filings. Her attorney has repeatedly sought anonymity on her behalf.

The woman testified to the committee that she had several additional sexual encounters with Greitens, including one in June 2015 when "he slapped me across my face" after she acknowledged having slept with her husband. She said she "felt like he was trying to claim me."

In another subsequent sexual encounter, the woman testified that Greitens "out of nowhere just, like kind of smacked me and grabbed me and shoved me down on the ground, and I instantly just started bawling."

It "actually hurt, and I know that I actually was really scared and sad when that happened," she testified.

The woman's account contradicts statements Greitens made previously. Asked in a January interview with The Associated Press if he had ever slapped the woman, Greitens responded: "Absolutely not."

Greitens, a Rhodes Scholar and former Navy SEAL officer who was once considered a rising GOP star, first acknowledged having an extramarital affair on Jan. 10, when St. Louis TV station KMOV ran a story revealing that the woman's ex-husband had released a secret audio recording of a 2015 conversation in which she told him about the photo Greitens took at his home.

The woman testified to the House committee that her husband had said: "I'm going to ruin this guy."

Greitens on Wednesday criticized the House report as "one-sided tabloid, trash gossip that was produced in a secret room."

He also referenced a comment the woman made during a lengthy deposition in his criminal case when she was asked if she saw what she believed to be a phone. A court filing from Greitens' attorneys quoted her as saying, "I haven't talked about it because I don't know if it's because I'm remembering it through a dream or I — I'm not sure, but yes, I feel like I saw it after that happened."

Greitens and his defense team have seized on the "dream" comment to attack the credibility of her testimony. But the prosecutor in the case says the defense "cherry picked bits and pieces" of her nine-hour deposition and the woman's attorney says the comment referred to one particular instance concerning the photo.

In addition to the legislative investigation and the criminal case, Hawley is investigating The Mission Continues, the veterans charity founded by Greitens, as it relates to the state's consumer protection and charitable registration and reporting laws. That probe came after media reports that Greitens' campaign had obtained and used a charity donor list in 2015 as it ramped up fundraising for his gubernatorial bid.

___

Associated Press reporters Blake Nelson in Jefferson City, Jim Salter in St. Louis and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed to this report.

(KAIR)--An Atchison man, previously convicted on related charges, is again arrested on suspicion of throwing human feces from a vehicle.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News 62-year-old Francis Haverkamp was arrested Tuesday. "It's been a recurring problem, specifically with a focus on the type of debris he is throwing out of a vehicle.”

It's alleged that Haverkamp committed the crimes, in the 500 block of Kansas Avenue, during the early morning hours of both Monday and Tuesday. “We've been monitoring the area. He actually was charged, and convicted, of similar crimes in the same area."

Haverkamp now faces charges of littering and unlawful disposal of waste material.

Following his arrest, he was issued a notice to appear in court.

(KNZA)--After several months of discussion, the Hiawatha Board of Education is a step closer to making a decision on the replacement of the high school track.

The Board heard presentations Monday evening from representatives of two companies--- Kansas City-based McConnell and Associates and Denver-based Renner Sports Surfaces.   

McConnell produces asphalt tracks with curbs, and comes with several surfacing options.

Renner utilizes post-tension concrete, with no curbs, and also comes with several surfacing options.   

After hearing the presentations, Board members voiced preference for going with a concrete base.

The Board tabled a decision until a special meeting, which they are expected to set following a work session on April 30th.

Home track meets have been cancelled this spring due to the poor condition of the current track.

Following an executive session, the Board approved the hiring of Shelby Smith as the new elementary school counselor.  The Board also approved the hiring of three new elementary school teachers---Naomi Forsyth as a second grade teacher, Scotti Twombly as a second grade teacher and Inessa Hood as a fourth grade teacher.

The Board accepted the resignations Elementary School counselor Heather Cline, Middle School art teacher Cindy Bicker, High School Ag science teacher KaCee Thompson and High School social studies teacher and head football coach Ted Brown, effective at the end of the current school year. As part of the consent agenda earlier in the meeting, the Board also accepted the resignation of Andrew Eckert as head boys basketball coach.     

Raul Hernandez, Felicia Hinkle, and Dylan Thomas/Credit: Brown Co Sheriff's Office

(KAIR)--Three are arrested following the raid Tuesday of a Horton residence that led to the seizure of what authorities say were drugs, weapons, and equipment used to commit fraud.

Taken into custody following the execution of two search warrants at 345 West 10th were 28-year-old Raul Hernandez, 35-year-old Felicia Hinkle, and 23-year-old Dylan Thomas.

According to a press release issued by Horton Police Chief John Calhoon, thousands of dollars in cash, along with drugs with an estimated street value of more than $10,000 were recovered, as well as drug paraphernalia and weapons.

Also seized from the residence was electronic equipment suspected of being used for identity theft and fraud.

Among the drugs authorities say were located are methamphetamine and marijuana.

The investigative reports are under the review of Brown County Attorney Kevin Hill, who is expected to file formal charges in the near future.

According to Brown County Jail records, Hernandez, Hinkle, and Thomas all remain in custody.

Bond for Hernandez is set at $150,000, while Hinkle and Thomas are held on bonds of $50,000 each. 

The three are believed to be residents of Horton, but the press release says they likely have connections to additional communities in northeast Kansas.

Assisting Horton Police with Tuesday's efforts were the Brown County Sheriff's Office, the Kickapoo Police Department, and the Sac and Fox Police Department.

Evidence seized during the raid/Credit: Horton Police Dept.

(KNZA)--The Board of Education for the South Brown County Schools looks to improve methods used in times of an emergency.

That follows the voicing of patron concerns during this week's meeting of the USD 430 Board of Education.

According to the minutes for the session, patrons Lucas Heinen and Carrie Miller addressed the Board in regards to the handling of a recent, rumored threat at the Horton High School.

Heinen wants to see an improvement in communication, while Miller suggested the implementation of stronger policies.

Board President Jason Smith, following an executive session at Monday's meeting, addressed the concerns.

He said the Board is looking at ways to make improvements in the handling of such situations in the future.

The rumor of the threat was brought to the attention of school officials on the evening of April 4.

Patrons that evening were notified through text message of the threat which was found to not be credible.

Despite the findings by law enforcement, a strong police presence was put in place at the Horton High School the following morning.

(KNZA)--Fire damaged a rural Robinson home early Wednesday morning.

Robinson Fire Chief Dennis Tietjens says the fire department was called to the home located at 2949 Timber Road around 2:00.

Upon arrival, Tietjens says firefighters found the lower level of the home fully engulfed in flames.  He says they were able to contain the fire to the lower level of the two-story home, however there was heat damage to other parts of the home.

Tietjens says the residents were home at the time but got out safely.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Robinson Fire Department was assisted by the Hiawatha Fire Department, Iowa Tribal Fire Department, Brown County Rescue Squad, Town and Country EMS, Iowa Tribal Police Department and Brown County Sheriff’s Department.

(KNZA)--An August jury trial has been set for a resident of Mexico facing sex-related charges in connection with an alleged February incident in Holton.

The Holton Recorder reports 38-year-old Antonio Ramirez-Garcia stood mute during his arraignment last week in Jackson County District Court and his attorney entered not guilty pleas on his behalf to charges of rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and aggravated sexual battery.

A three-day trial was set, beginning August 1st.

Ramirez-Garcia was initially charged with rape but the two additional charges were added following a March 27th preliminary hearing.

He is accused of sexually assaulting a former co-worker during a party at a Holton residence early February 10th.

Ramirez-Garcia was arrested five days later after Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies located him in Topeka.

He remains in the Jackson County Jail, held on a $50,000 bond.   

(KAIR)--An Atchison man goes to jail, accused of an illegal, sexual relationship with a young teenage girl.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News it was a family member of the teen who discovered the alleged crimes and called police. "The Police Department initiated an investigation in late March, focusing on unlawful sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl that occurred on multiple occasions at a residence in Atchison. That investigation led to Monday's arrest of 34-year-old Michael Goldman, of Atchison."

Wilson said the crimes, allegedly committed by Goldman, began late last year. "We know that these unlawful contacts, or sexual activity, occurred at various times between late December of 2017 and early February of 2018. It came to our attention in late March."

Wilson said the arrest of Goldman wrapped up a 10-day investigation.

He was taken into custody for aggravated indecent liberties with a child and electronic solicitation.

Following his arrest, Goldman was booked into the Atchison County Jail.

(KLZA)-- A Tuesday morning wreck involving a Union Pacific train and pickup truck resulted in the death of an Auburn man. 

The Nemaha  County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office reports that just before 8:45 the Sheriff's Office received a report of the wreck on the east edge of Auburn on Highway 136.

The eastbound pickup, driven by Donald Kruger of Auburn was struck by a northbound train.

Kruger was pronounced dead at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

There were no other occupants in the pickup and the train crew members were not injured. 

The crash is being investigated by the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office and Union Pacific Railroad.

Auburn Fire and Rescue also responded to the scene of the wreck.  

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas officials have discovered that a public school funding bill passed by lawmakers contains an error lowering the size of its spending increase by at least $80 million.
 
Spokesman Kendall Marr said Tuesday that Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer still plans to sign the measure and work with legislators on fixing the problem. The State Department of Education posted a notice about the flaw in the legislation on its website Monday.
 
Legislators meant to phase in a $534 million increase in education funding over five years in hopes of satisfying a Kansas Supreme Court mandate. With the flaw, the figure would be $454 million or possibly a little lower.
 
The House approved the bill Saturday and the Senate passed it early Sunday. Critics argued that the measure was being rushed.

LINWOOD, Kan. (AP) - A Leavenworth County man is charged in the death of a woman who was reported missing last week.

Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson says 63-year-old Dan Flannagan was charged Friday with second-degree murder in the death of 61-year-old Constance Perryman.

The Leavenworth Times reports a family member reported Perryman missing Thursday night. Her body was found on farm property south of Linwood.

Flannagan and Perryman lived on the property where her body was found.

Leavenworth County Undersheriff Jim Sherley says Perryman apparently was shot.

Sherley say a disagreement at the home apparently led to the shooting but the investigation is continuing.

(KAIR)--A report of trespassing at an Atchison apartment sends a 19-year-old Atchison man to jail on sex charges.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News Matthew White was arrested Sunday. "Shortly after 5 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, our officers responded to 103 South 7th, where the subject had unlawfully been on the premises. He'd previously been banned from the apartment complex and was seen in the area with a young female. Officers did locate the 19-year-old suspect several blocks away with a 14-year-old girl."

Wilson said the full details of White's alleged relationship with the girl is not yet known. "They were acquainted, they were together at the apartment complex, and left the apartment complex together, so it's still an active investigation. As far as how long the two had known each other is not yet known, but we do know that they were together as mutual acquaintances on Sunday afternoon."

White was arrested on charges of indecent liberties with a child and criminal trespass.

Wilson said additional charges are possible.

Following his arrest, White was booked into the Atchison County Jail where he's held on a bond of $3,000.

LINWOOD, Kan. (AP) - A retired Kansas Bureau of Investigation special agent says he believes a Leavenworth County teenager who disappeared nearly 30 years ago died after driving into a creek.
 
The Kansas City Star reports that Timothy Dennis spent more than a decade investigating the disappearance of Randy Leach. The 17-year-old went missing in April 1988 after borrowing his mother's car and attending a party near his home in the town of Linwood.

His parents have sued to see some of the investigative records in the case, but a judge denied their request. Dennis, speaking publicly about the case for the first time, says the most reasonable explanation is that the teen's car went off a single-lane bridge. The creek was searched, but Dennis fears the car was swept too far downstream to be found.
   

(KLZA)-- A fugitive sought by local law enforcement officials was reportedly seen Monday morning in the Rulo area.

According to a release from the Richardson County Sheriff's Office, Michael Tinsley was seen wearing jeans and a dark, possibly blue T-shirt.

Tinsley is wanted. If you have any information, please contact the Richardson County Law Enforcement Center at 402-245-2479.

Michael Tinsley is described as a white male who stands 5'9” and weighs 190 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

A release last week from the Sheriff's Office says Tinsley should be considered armed and dangerous.

(KLZA)--Governor Pete Ricketts has proclaimed April 8 – 14 as Nebraska Public Transit Week.

Nearly six percent of the homes in Nebraska have no access to a vehicle, representing about 105-thousand people.

Richardson County Transit operates out of the Falls City Senior Center and in 2017 had 5,069 riders traveling nearly 16-thousand miles. The service provides a connection to medical care, education and jobs.

Brenda  Guilliams,  who manages Richardson County Transit and also serves as one of the drivers says the service is open to the general public with no age restrictions and no handicap discrimination.

While a majority of the riders are within Falls City, you can  use the service to go out of town. Wednesday's and Thursday's rides are offered to other towns in Richardson County and there are regularly scheduled trips to Lincoln and Omaha.  In addition, you can also use the service for a ride to see a doctor in Auburn.

A ride from your home to a business in Falls City is $1.50 and if you ride from business-to-business the cost if just 50-cents.

During Public Transit Week, those riding will have a chance to win some prizes as a thank you through various contests that are being sponsored.

Southeast Nebraska Community Action partners with both Richardson and Pawnee County to provide low-cost public transportation programs to local residents.  

For more information on the program or to schedule a ride, In Richardson County call 402-245-3664.  In Pawnee  County call 402-852-2208. 

(KNZA)--Local District Judge Jim Patton is seeking another 4-year term.

The Hiawatha Republican recently filed for re-election.

Patton serves as chief judge in the state’s 22nd Judicial District, which includes Brown, Doniphan, Marshall and Nemaha Counties.

Patton says he’d like to continue oversight of a new digital filing system soon to be operating in local courts.

As district administrator, Patton and staff have worked with the state to create a centralized case management system along with other judicial districts statewide.

The process, started a few years ago, aims to eliminate paper and go entirely digital.

Patton has served on the local bench for 24 years, or six terms.

He was municipal judge in Highland, Hiawatha and Horton before his election to state district court.

(KMZA)--Representatives of Seneca’s Spring Creek Golf Course say the golf course is doing very well.

The golf course representatives presented their annual report to the Seneca City Council last week.

The group told the Council some major improvements have been made to the course—including paving of the cart paths, which was funded through donations, and  the construction of a  new pond on the west side of the course.

Council member Mike Stallbaumer asked the group to consider more signage directing visitors to the course.  Stallbaumer said that a group from St. Mary’s who recently visited the city as part of the First Impressions Program mentioned that they were not sure how to find the golf course.  The golf course representatives said they would look into the matter.

In other business, the Council approved a zoning change for property in downtown Seneca to allow for the construction of self-storage units.  Mark Heinen requested that property located at 5th Street and the railroad tracks be rezoned from a business district to light industrial.  The city Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change.

The Council approved an extension of the agreement with Heritage Realty, of Seneca,  for the marketing of the sale of lots at the old golf course for business and residential purposes.

The American Legion riders presented permission to block off the section of Main Street in front of the American Legion building, and for a temporary cereal malt beverage license for Saturday, April 21st for their 10th anniversary Bike Show.  The Council approved the request.

And the American Legion requested permission to hold a BBQ competition at the City Park during the Nemaha County Fair.  The group wants to set up the BBQ on Friday night and hold the competition on Saturday.  The Council gave their approval

(KLZA)--The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation selected two recipients for the Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor of the Year award. Casey Carriker from Raymond Central High School and Ashton Bohling from Auburn High School were honored at the Nebraska FFA Convention on Thursday, April 5, in Lincoln. The winning advisors received a plaque and a $1,000 donation to their FFA chapters.

The teachers were nominated by their own students and chosen based upon their school and community involvement, leadership development in their classroom, and their ability to keep their students involved in agriculture.

“Both teachers are exceptional educators, leaders, and role models for their students,” said Megahn Schafer, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation. “Not only do these teachers go above and beyond for their students, they support the future of agriculture through encouragement of FFA leaders.”

Casey Carriker is an FFA Advisor at Raymond Central High School in Raymond, NE. Mr. Carriker uses reliable materials and hands-on activities to engage students in learning.  Carriker emphasizes to the students the importance of having passion and a connection to their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) projects to have success.

"This award is a great honor because my students had to nominate me and that shows that I am having an impact on them. Having Agriculture Education and FFA is essential for any school because it produces well rounded students that will excel after high school,” Carriker said.

Ashton Bohling is an FFA Advisor at Auburn High School in Auburn, NE. Ms. Bohling is always looking for ways to network with the community and maintain strong connections for the success of the chapter. She enlists members of her community to visit her classes and bring current, real-world examples of Nebraska agriculture. This enriches the learning experience for her students and creates strong ties to their community.

“I am honored to receive this award for doing a job that I love to do anyway,” Bohling said. “It is encouraging to know that agriculture education is supported by so many other great organizations. It is especially neat to be co-advisor of the year with Casey Carriker as we were classmates and friends throughout college.”

“We had a number of exceptional nominations this year. All of the advisors and agriculture education teachers nominated are a showcase of agriculture leaders in their communities,” Shafer said. “The students these teachers impact are the future of our great state, and we are proud to recognize their excellent service.”

The mission of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is to engage youth, educators, and the general public to promote an understanding of the vital importance of agriculture in the lives of all Nebraskans. The Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. For more information about the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation, visit www.nefbfoundation.org.  

(KNZA)--U.S. Senator Jerry Moran will visit the Doniphan County community of White Cloud Monday morning, April 9th as part of his Kansas Listening tour.

The Kansas Republican will be at the American Legion Hall located at 104 Main from 7:30 to 8:30.

Area residents are encouraged to attend and share feedback with Moran on the critical issues facing Kansas and the nation.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have given their final approval to an increase in spending on the state's public schools amid intense pressure to respond to a court mandate.

The Senate approved a bill early Sunday to phase in a $534 million increase in education funding over five years. The vote was 21-19.

The House approved the bill on a 63-56 vote. The measure goes to Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer, who has already endorsed it publicly.

The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in October that the state's current education funding of more than $4 billion a year isn't sufficient. Many Democrats said the plan will not satisfy the court.

Senate GOP leaders backed a plan to phase in a $274 million increase. They said the bigger plan will eventually force a tax increase.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A conservative Kansas lawmaker is suggesting that problems facing public schools aren't a matter of money but a shift away from God in recent decades.

Republican Represenative  Randy Garber, of Sabetha, argued Saturday during a 13-minute speech on a school funding bill that problems with society and public education stem from U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the early 1960s declaring school-sponsored prayer and Bible reading unconstitutional.

Garber concluded his speech by telling his colleagues: "If we don't fix society, we won't fix our schools."

He added, "I say the way to fix our schools is to put prayer and the Bible back and give it a chance."

House Democratic Leader Jim Ward of Wichita called Garber's remarks "disappointing" and that providing a good public education is "hard work."

(KNZA)--A Holton man accused of shooting at law enforcement officers during a standoff in December has pleaded no contest to charges.

Jackson County Attorney Shawna Miller says 31-year-old Patrick Miller entered the plea Friday morning to one count of attempted first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer after waiving his preliminary hearing.

Miller had originally been charged with 18 counts—including three counts of attempted capital murder.

Sentencing is set for May 25th.

Holton Police and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department responded late December 3rd to a report of a domestic disturbance at 802 Ohio in Holton.

When officer arrived, Miller ran into his house and began shooting at officers and his wife, Erica Bell, who was inside one of the police cars.

Authorities negotiated with Miller for about two hours before he peacefully surrendered. 

No injuries were reported.

Bell was later arrested in connection with the incident.  She recently pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of domestic battery.  A jury trial is set to begin September 18th.

(KAIR)--A GoFundMe account is set up for an Atchison County family who lost their home to a fire.

According to information on the website, the blaze claimed everything owned by the family of eight.

The fire occurred at the Muscotah residence of Brian and Renae Handke. The couple has six sons.

A news release from Atchison County Undersheriff Toby Smith says Sheriff's Deputies, along with Effingham firefighters, responded to the home, located at 505 Kickapoo, around 8:15 Thursday night.

The family was not at home at the time of the fire.

According to Smith, the cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental. It's believed that a battery charger for a child's toy is to blame, according to the investigation by the Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office.

The GoFundMe, created by Brian Handke's sister, asks for donations of any type, including clothing, household items, and gift cards.

Information about donations can be found here. 

   TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas is planning a new way to deliver license plates to vehicle owners.

 The Kansas Department of Revenue said Friday the plates will have the same design but be flat. And they will be printed on demand and sent to vehicle owners, rather than preprinting plates and keeping them in stock.
 
Gov. Jeff Colyer said in a statement the change will modernize how Kansas delivers license plates, noting the former process has been in place since 1913.
 
The department says the new process will eliminate millions of dollars of license plate inventory.
 
Once the transition is complete, drivers will place an order for a new plate at county motor vehicle offices and will be given a 30-day temporary tag. The permanent plate will be delivered within 10-14 business days.

(KNZA)--A meeting of the Brown County Sheriff Mounted Search and Rescue will be Monday evening ( April 9th).

The meeting will take place at 7:00 in the basement of the Sheriffs office in
Hiawatha.

 Anyone interested in becoming a member of the organization is
urged to attend.  

If you have any questions, please contact Sheriff John Merchant at 785-742-7125

(KLZA)--During a special meeting of the Falls City Board of Education Thursday evening,   Michael Wentz was hired as the new South Elementary School Principal.  Wentz will begin his duties with the 2018-19 school year.

J.P. Holys who has served as the South Elementary School Principal and Special Education Director for the past seven years has accepted a position with the Columbus Public Schools.  

Holys grew up in Columbus.

Wentz is currently the Pre-K-6 grade Principal at Ainsworth Community Schools. Wentz received his Masters Degree in Educational Administration and his Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and K-6 Physical Education from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. 

(KAIR)--A fugitive is in custody despite her alleged attempt to hide from authorities in the attic of a Horton residence.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, said 25-year-old Chelsea Finch, of Hiawatha, was arrested Thursday following the execution of a search warrant at 150 West 14th Street.

Morse said Finch was taken into custody after she was found hiding in the attic.

A 23-year-old Horton resident, Dylan Thomas, was also arrested by Horton Police for felony interference with law enforcement.

Finch was transported to the Jackson County Jail where Morse said she allegedly trafficked methamphetamine into the facility.

Finch faces charges of trafficking contraband into a correctional facility, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

She's also held on two Jackson County warrants.

She remains jailed on a bond of $50,000.

The Horton Police Department and the Brown County Sheriff's Office assisted with the investigation and the apprehension of Finch.

(KNZA)---A Hiawatha woman has been charged in connection with a 2013 Brown County murder case.

34-year-old Janelle Hall ( also known as Janelle King ) is facing a felony count of interference with law enforcement stemming from the investigation into the beating death of a 4-year-old Mekhi Boone in March 2013.

According to the criminal complaint, Hall is alleged to have provided false information concerning the whereabouts Janice Summerford, knowing that it would impede the investigation.

Summerford was the live-in girlfriend of the child’s father, Lee Davis IV.  

Davis was sentenced in June 2013 to nearly 20-years in prison on charges of second-degree murder and felony child abuse.

Summerford was sentenced in September 2014 to a total of 124 months in prison on charges of second-degree murder, felony child abuse and interference with a law enforcement officer.

A preliminary hearing for Hall, who was charged in February, was continued Wednesday to May 9th.

She is currently free on an O.R. bond.

(KAIR)--No lock-down is reported, but a strong presence of law enforcement was noted Thursday morning at the Horton High School.

Horton Police Chief John Calhoon tells MSC News that was due to what he calls “precautionary measures,” although “there was no substantiated criminal threat” following an investigation.

Patrons of USD 430 received a text message Wednesday night confirming that a threat had been received but that the situation had been addressed.

USD 430 Superintendent Jason Cline released a statement Thursday afternoon, saying that district administration Wednesday evening were “notified of a rumor of a threat toward Horton High School,” adding that “proper authorities were contacted which included the Horton Police Department and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.  Law enforcement conducted an investigation of the rumor.” 

In the statement, he said “the extra police presence was to reinforce that USD 430 takes all threats and/or rumors seriously,” and that “USD 430 holds the safety and well-being of our students in highest regard.”

The law enforcement presence apparently did not deter a visit from United States Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins to the school.

According to a press release issued by her office, the Kansas Republican met with students who are participating in a 14-week financial education competition which “pairs individual members of Congress and financial capability programming with public schools in every congressional district nationwide to teach middle and high school students about saving, investing, and government.”

The national top 10 teams will be recognized at an awards reception in Washington, D.C. on June 13.

(MSC News)--U.S. Representative Lynn Jenkins visited Horton High School students Thursday participating in the SIFMA Foundation’s Capitol Hill Challenge™ program, supported by Charles Schwab.  This national 14-week financial education competition pairs individual members of Congress and financial capability programming with public schools in every congressional district nationwide to teach middle and high school students about saving, investing, and government.

Rep. Jenkins met with the student teams who are investing a hypothetical $100,000 in listed stocks, bonds, and mutual funds and learning about the capital markets. The national top 10 teams will be recognized at an awards reception in Washington, D.C. on June 13.

“For more than a decade, the SIFMA Foundation’s Capitol Hill Challenge™ and Stock Market Game™ have helped students from around the country become financially capable,” said Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr., SIFMA President & CEO. “Our industry is committed to giving students the necessary tools to build a solid foundation so they can one day achieve their financial goals. I’d like to give special thanks to lawmakers like Rep. Jenkins who are making personal visits to engage students on these important issues.”   

“Since day one, Schwab has been committed to making investing and financial education accessible to everyone,” said Jeff Brown, Senior Vice President, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Charles Schwab. “Our sponsorship of the Capitol Hill Challenge™ is an extension of our commitment to advocating for more financial literacy programs and to giving people the education and tools they need to take control of their financial futures. We applaud Congress for its commitment to advancing students’ understanding of personal finance.”

The competition uses the SIFMA Foundation’s curriculum-based Stock Market Game™, a program that helps students develop a better understanding of fiscal policymaking, the role of the capital markets, and global economic trends. The program is proven to raise student scores on tests of mathematics, economics and financial knowledge and improve students’ and teachers’ personal financial behavior.

“We thank Congress for its support of youth financial capability through participation in SIFMA Foundation’s Capitol Hill Challenge™program,” said Melanie Mortimer, President of the SIFMA Foundation. “And we commend the personal commitment of Rep. Jenkins for visiting her Capitol Hill Challenge™ students and teachers to bring their learning to life.”

Since the Capitol Hill Challenge™ began in 2004, the program has made more than 4,200 matches of U.S. representatives and senators with schools, reaching more than 113,000 students. Middle and high school students from all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, and Washington, DC are participating in this year’s Challenge.

(KAIR)--The discovery of methamphetamine at the Atchison Elementary school leads to police response and to concerns arising from the discovery of a hypodermic needle at the same time.

The illicit items were allegedly brought to the school by a 5th grade student who apparently showed it to another student who reported it to school staff.

Superintendent Dr. Susan Myers told MSC News school district protocol was followed when staff learned of the discovery. "It came to the principal's attention through a student that there could be possibly drugs in our school [Wednesday] and immediately called the police. The police immediately came up, and followed their procedures, and did some testing and verified that yes, they were drugs. Then we follow our board policy in terms of possession of drugs for consequences."

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson told MSC News the investigation is continuing. 

Following the discovery, and the apparent report of the incident by a student to a parent, a post, voicing concerns regarding the discovery, began to circulate on social media.

(KAIR)--While April 1 marked both the start of a new week and a new month, it also meant the end of a near five-decade era in Atchison.

Easter Sunday was the official date for the end of operations at the longstanding Ellis Barber shop, located at 101 South 5th Street, in downtown Atchison.

According to information submitted by the family of long-time proprietor Norm Ellis, the shop opened on May 1, 1971.

That followed Ellis' purchase of the business, formerly known as the George Diebolt Barber Shop.

According to Ellis's daughter, Sid Jones, the final haircut given by her father was also the first haircut for Ellis' great-grandson, Clarkson Michael Owens.

(MSC News)--Nebraska authorities are searching for two fugitives linked to an ongoing Atchison County, Kansas investigation.

That follows the theft of a vehicle on the night of March 31 from a residence located on Bourbon Road, in Atchison County.

Atchison County Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the theft followed a burglary, and is also connected to the alleged arson of another stolen vehicle found wrecked and on fire, not far from the burglarized residence, that same night.

According to a news release from the Richardson County, Nebraska Sheriff's Office, the car stolen from the residence was involved in a pursuit Monday in the area of Salem, Nebraska.

The driver of the stolen car is identified as 20-year-old Braiden Guido.

According to the release, the pursuit began when a Deputy attempted to stop the car as part of a search for a wanted felon, identified as Michael Tinsley.

During the pursuit, it's alleged that another vehicle, driven by 19-year-old Gabrielle Guido, began to chase the Deputy.

The pursuit was terminated in the Salem Cemetery when Braiden Guido allegedly drove through a cemetery fence, across a snow covered pasture and then through another fence.

The release says Gabrielle Guido lost control of her vehicle in the cemetery and came to a stop on top of a small tree, narrowly missing the patrol vehicle.

She was arrested for willful reckless driving, minor in possession of alcohol and open alcohol container.

Braiden Guido is described as a white male, with hazel eyes, who stands 6'3” and weighs around 190 pounds.

Michael Tinsley is described as a white male who stands 5'9” and weighs 190 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

The release says both should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information about their whereabouts should notify authorities immediately.

An Overland Park, Kansas woman is in custody in Atchison County in connection with the alleged crimes committed in that location.

Gabrielle Guido/Credit: Richardson Co Sheriff's Office

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) - A St. Joseph woman who led a $1.5 million tax fraud scheme has been sentenced to two years in federal prison.

Dinorah Lynn Stoll-Weaver was sentenced Wednesday and ordered to pay $1.5 million in restitution to the government.

She owned Homeward Bound Health Services in St. Joseph. Between 2001 and 2010, she collected employment taxes but did not pay them to the federal government. She also withheld employees' IRA contributions, medical and dental insurance payments and child support but kept those withholdings for herself and relatives.

Stoll-Weaver pleaded guilty in July 2015.

Her sister, 60-year-old Dawn Langlais, previously pleaded guilty to failing to pay employee payroll taxes to the government and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison without parole.

(KNZA)--A St. Joseph, Missouri man has pleaded no contest in Brown County District Court to a charge of electronic solicitation of a child.

39-year-old Daniel Cook entered the plea Monday.

Sentencing was set for May 7th.

Cook was convicted of communicating through the internet with a person he believed to be a 14 to 16 year old child in an effort to commit or submit to an unlawful sex act.

He was arrested New Year’s Day following an investigation by undercover officers with the Hiawatha Police Department. The Kansas Highway Patrol assisted.

Cook remains in the Brown County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

(KNZA)--The Doniphan County Commission has approved a zoning change to allow for a new business.

The Commission Monday approved a request by Gabe Owens, doing business as Gator Garage, to rezone property located at 508 Last Chance Road from A-1 Agriculture to Mixed Use to allow for the operation of a mechanic shop and small car lot on the property.

The Doniphan County Planning Commission recommended approval of the zoning change.

Discussion was held in regard to replacing the courthouse generator, which was purchased in 1996, with a larger model that will pull the power load for the entire courthouse. County Emergency Management Coordinator Julie Meng told the Commission that the District Court and County Attorney’s Office are not hooked to the current generator due to size limitations. The Commission suggested Meng obtain cost proposals for replacement of the generator.

And Commissioners voted to hire Colton Johnson and Travis Owen full-time for  the Second District road shop at a pay rate of $10 an hour plus benefits. The two will be given 60-days to obtain a CDL license, at which time their pay will increase to $10.50 an hour.     

(KNZA)--1st District Nemaha County Commissioner Gary Scoby is seeking another 4-year term on the Commission.

Scoby, a Sabetha Republican, recently filed for another term.

He is the first candidate to file for the position, which is the only county office up for election this November.

Scoby has served on the Commission since 2006.

Candidates have until noon, June 1st to file at the Nemaha County Clerk’s Office.  

Editors note: the following information was released by Brown County Sheriff John Merchant 

Recently, I have been asked to compile information about the Sheriffs office number of calls and information about our patrol procedures and practices.  I hope this helps to answer questions from our citizens and taxpayers and if there are any concerns , please feel free to contact me.

The budget for the office side of the Sheriffs department is $640,000, taken out of this fund are the wages  of the Sheriff, Undersheriff, 6 deputies, 4 part-time deputies and our clerk and a part-time clerk. Overtime, fuel, repairs, training, supplies, patrol vehicles, uniforms,ammunition,vehicle and deputy radios and upgrades, etc. also come out of this fund which usually amounts to over $200,000 per year.

This may seem like a lot of money, but with the changing times we have had to adopt different patrol strategies to keep up with current trends in criminal activity.  One example is keeping deputies on the road patrolling our smaller towns in the county.  Each deputy is required to fill out a log sheet each shift  and document each town and time of patrol, mileage, calls handled, vehicle stops, arrests and citations etc.  By having law enforcement presence, this in and of itself is a crime deterrent which reflects the KBI CRIME INDEX report for  2016.   This shows Brown County has a  respectable reported crime rate of 7.6 occurrences per 1,000 residents per year and 6.5 property crime offenses per 1,000 residents per year. This is based on approximately 4886 county residents who reside outside the city limits of Hiawatha and Horton.

The above budget does not include most of the expenses of the FIRST AID/CPR TEEN LIFESAVERS Program , Defensive Driving, Child seat program, Halloween safety program, Drug Takeback, Reserve Program, Mounted Search and Rescue, etc.  These programs are either self-funded or are being operated off of grant funding or donations.  We are very fortunate that we have community minded individuals and organizations  who see the benefit to these types of programs and how it benefits our entire county.

The following are some  statistics from the first quarter of the year, January-March for the Brown County Sheriffs Office:

Accidents-47

Alarm calls-11

Animal calls-18

Building check-32

DUI/drug investigations as well as arrests-32

Information, miscellaneous, assist other agencies, scam reports-503

Service to citizens-20

Offender registrations-89

Suspicious activity complaints-24

Subpoena and warrant service and attempts-315

Theft reports-13

Traffic stops and complaints-636

Investigate suspicious vehicles, disabled, lock-out-160

Vehicle inspections-51

Check welfare-29

K-9 deployment, education, awareness-28

The jail also processed over 130 inmates for the first quarter.  

The average daily population of the jail for January was 26; February, 23 and March, 23

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to our
county residents. We have a great working relationship and have received a lot of valuable information from your concerns.  Reports of suspicious activity have lead to some very productive arrests and has also raised awareness on what should be reported and information needed to pass on to deputies.

Sheriff John D Merchant
Brown County Sheriff's Office
709 Utah Street
Hiawatha KS 66434

(KLZA)--Tuesday was Municipal Election day in Missouri.

Results from the election include:

Holt County:

Voters approved a countywide sales tax of one-half of one percent for 10 years 405-76.

Funds will be used for the purchase of gravel and capital improvements to non-state maintained gravel roads.

The City of Oregon voters approved $1.8-million in revenue bonds to extend and improve the combined waterworks and sewage system 97 – 30.

Mound City voters approved a 30-cent increase in the tax levy per $100 of assessed valuation for street lighting for four years 67 – 19.

Nodaway-Holt School Board – two elected:

John Leigh Everhart 45; Kenneth Shewey 45; Kelley O'Riley 28.

Nodaway-Holt School District Proposition 2. Shall the current temporary operating tax levy of 89.9 cents per $100 of assessed valuation be continued through 2037? Passed 46 yes; 21 No.

Corning Road District 35-cent levy for four years passed 13 – 5.

In Holt County, voter turnout was just over 15.3% with 510 of the more than 3,300 registered voters casting a ballot.

ATCHISON COUNTY:

The Fairfax School District voters approved an increase in the property tax ceiling by approximately 75-cents per $100 of assessed valuation to just over $4.78 through 2024 to help pay for maintain facilities and pay increased costs associated with educational programs, utilities and other operational needs by a vote of 198 – 55.

The West Atchison Fire District 35-cent tax levy increase was approved for four years 41 – 15.

The Phelps City special road levy was approved 5-0.

In the Tarkio School Board election, Sam Hannah received 273 votes, Garrett Wood 229 and Rachel Graves 222. Hannah and Wood are elected to serve.

The Tarkio two-percent use tax was approved 231 – 81.

Tarkio voters voted down a proposal to dissolve the Board of Public Works and have the Board of Aldermen be solely over the water and sewer departments 253 voting against and 61 in favor.

Raymond Gebhards Jr. defeated Dalton Holbrook for the Tarkio Special Road District seat 226-115.

Lyle Johnson was elected to the Tarkio Rural Fire Board over James C. Smith 50-6.

22%, or 786 of the nearly 3,600 registered voters cast ballots Tuesday.

(KNZA)--Being prepared for the worst.

That's the reason for Thursday's Brown County training session, focused on the approach of the spring severe weather season.

The session will take place Thursday evening, April 5th, in the Horton Community Blue Building located at 716 1st Avenue West.

The free training session, which is open to the public, will begin at 7:00, and last about 90 minutes.

A National Weather Service meteorologist will discuss various aspects of severe weather, storm spotting, and severe weather safety.

The training session is being held to prepare for the spring severe weather season in Kansas.

(KNZA)--Rainbow Communications is informing customers of a planned phone and internet service outage.

The company says they will be performing a network upgrade from 11:59 Wednesday night ( April 4th) and into the early morning hours of Thursday, April 5th.

During that time, Rainbow’s phone and internet services may be down for two to six hours.

The scheduled upgrade will affect the Rainbow service areas of Elwood, Fairview, Hiawatha, Highland, Horton, Sabetha, Seneca, Troy, and Wathena.  Businesses on Rainbow fiber should be unaffected.

Those with questions or concerns about their Rainbow service, are asked to  call 1-800-892-0163.

(KLZA)--A second area utility provider is warning customers of attempted scams.

Omaha Public Power District is warning customers about scammers who are calling, posing as utility representatives.

Tuesday alone, the district received more than 50 reports from customers who have received such phone calls.

The aggressive callers falsely tell customers they are overdue on their bills or they need to purchase equipment. The con artists demand numbers from a payment card of some sort, and they threaten to disconnect service if customers do not pay quickly.

Unfortunately, this scam is not new or isolated to OPPD’s service territory. It has been going on for years across the nation, and it tends to pick up steam several times a year. The latest round of calls OPPD is hearing about have been targeting both residential and business customers.

OPPD stresses that none of these people demanding payments or financial information works for the utility.

OPPD advises customers: to Never give personal or financial information to a stranger during an unsolicited telephone call.

If such a person should appear unannounced at one’s door claiming to work for the utility, do not allow them inside. Always ask for identification or verification. OPPD employees always carry identification. Failure to produce identification should be a tip-off to the customer that something is wrong.

Never turn off security systems for any reason if a stranger asks. Any customer who receives such a request should call law enforcement immediately.

Customers with questions about making a payment, or about their account in general, should always call OPPD directly.

Customers in our rural areas may talk with their local offices during business hours, as well. Outside of Omaha, customers should call 1-877-536-4131.

(KLZA)--Following a public hearing drawing no comment, the Falls City Council Monday evening unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Dennis Hullman, owner of Hullman's Ford to use lots with an address of 2013, 2019 and 2023 Harlan Street for an automotive / truck sales, rental and leasing business.  

Hullman told the Council he has not finalized his plans but would like to put up a building on the property and hard-surface, which could include gravel, the property to display automobiles and trucks.  

 The Planning Commission had recommended the application for the conditional use permit be approved.  

(KNZA)--A two-vehicle Tuesday afternoon Brown County wreck left a Dawson, Nebraska man injured.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says it happened at the intersection of U.S. 36 and Falcon Road shortly before 1:30.

The Patrol says 65-year-old John Manley was stopped in the eastbound lane of U.S. 36 attempting to turn north onto Falcon Road when an eastbound semi tractor-trailer attempted to pass his Ford Explorer on the right to avoid a rear-end collision.  Manley made a maneuver into the right turning lane in an attempt to avoid being struck and the semi struck the right passenger door of his SUV.
 
Manley was transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital and later flown to the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City with what the Patrol described as disabling injuries.

The semi driver, 64-year-old Wymore, Nebraska resident Larry Sommerville, was not hurt.

The Patrol says both drivers were buckled up when the wreck occurred.  

(KAIR)--A founder of an Atchison church is dead, killed Easter Sunday while snorkeling in Guam.

Melissa Murphy helped to establish the Celebration Church, in Atchison.

The Church, in a Facebook message, tells MSC News Murphy, and her husband, Scott, planted the church a year-and-a-half ago, then left to conduct missions work in China.

According to a Facebook post made by her husband, Melissa Murphy died April 1 when the couple was caught in a riptide, and pulled into deep water, while snorkeling in Guam.

According to posts on her Facebook page, Melissa Murphy had just celebrated her birthday. 

Details regarding funeral arrangements for Murphy aren't immediately available.

(KAIR)--Two arrests are made in connection with the alleged theft of electronics from the Holton Walmart store.

Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse, in a news release, says the latest arrests are not connected with those made last week in Jackson County, following an investigation into a suspected multi-state theft ring alleged to have targeted the same store.

Taken into custody Monday night were 30-year-old Jason Aubrey and 31-year-old Kevin Parker, both of Bethany, Missouri.

According to Morse, the arrests followed a traffic stop on K-116 Highway, east of Holton.

It's alleged that three television's were found in the vehicle, while the resulting investigation also led to the recovery of a sound bar in Atchison County, and an additional television at a Denison residence.

It's alleged the electronics had been stolen from the Holton store.

Aubrey and Parker each face two counts of felony removing a theft detection device, two counts of misdemeanor theft, conspiracy to commit theft, and criminal damage to property.

Morse says the pair is also wanted by the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Parker, at the time of his arrest in Jackson County was wearing an ankle monitoring device because he was on house arrest.

Both were booked into the Jackson County Jail.

Last week, three Missouri residents were arrested in Jackson County in connection with the theft of electronics from the Holton Walmart.

That led to the execution of a search warrant at a Ferrelview, Missouri residence Friday through a joint investigation between the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and the Platte County Sheriff's Office.

Morse says the latest arrests are not tied to those crimes, which are believed to have been part of a crime ring that operated in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa.

DALLAS, Texas (AP)- Federal authorities in Dallas have arrested one of the designers of a Kansas water park slide that decapitated a 10-year-old boy.

Trent Touchstone, chief deputy with the U.S. Marshals Service in Dallas, said Tuesday that 72-year-old John Timothy Schooley was met by agents at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport late Monday.

Schooley will be held in Dallas pending his arraignment and extradition to Kansas on charges that include second-degree murder.

A Kansas grand jury last week indicted Schooley and Jeffrey Henry, a co-owner of Texas-based Schlitterbahn Waterparks and Resorts. The indictment alleges Schooley lacked technical or engineering expertise in amusement park rides.

Caleb Schwab died on the 17-story Verruckt ride in 2016 when the raft he was riding went airborne and hit an overhead loop.

Left to right: Police Chief John Defore, Officer Dustin Winters and Mayor Dr. Steffen Shamburg/Credit: Greg Bebermeyer, MSC News

(KNZA)--A Hiawatha police officer has received a letter of commendation from the U.S. Secret Service for his assistance on a protective intelligence investigation in Hiawatha on February 27th.

Police Chief John Defore presented the letter of commendation to Officer Dustin Winters during Monday evening’s City Commission meeting on behalf of special agent in charge David Stutheit. Defore said Stutheit noted that Winters went above and beyond in his work on the case and was one of the most helpful local officers his agents have worked with.

In the letter, Stutheit said Officer Winters had exceptional knowledge of the local suspects in the case, as well as useful information regarding the residence the Secret Service agents had been called to.

Stutheit added that the case went smoothly and was resolved safely due to Officer Winter’s invaluable assistance.  He commended Winters for his knowledge and professionalism.

Later in the meeting, Chief Defore requested the commission give Winters a scheduled 50-cent merit-based raise, which the commission approved.

City Administrator Mike Nichols informed the Commission that he had spoke to the three local banks and all three are interested in participating in the interim financing for the sales tax street improvement project.  Hiawatha National Bank, Citizen State Bank, and Morrill & Janes Bank will work together to fund the project at one-third each. Each individual draw that the city does will be split equally between the banks, so each will earn identical interest.

(KAIR)--Wind energy will provide all electricity needs for Atchison-based MGP Ingredients.

That word is delivered in a news release issued Tuesday by the company.

According to the release, the commitment “to sourcing 100-percent of their electricity needs from wind power comes through a three-year agreement.”

MGP “has made a commitment to renewable energy through Westar Wind,” described in the release as “a Green-e certified program offered by Westar Energy.”

The move means that “total electric usage at MGP's facilities in Atchison and Lawrenceburg, Indiana, will be offset by green energy provided by Westar's wind resources in Kansas.”

MGP President and CEO, Gus Griffin, in the release, says the company is “proud and excited” to enter into the agreement “which represents a significant step in [MGP's] efforts to realize both the direct and overarching benefits of renewable energy technologies."

Griffin calls the initiative “consistent with the long-term view [MGP takes] for [its] business, and reflects [the company's] enduring commitment to [its] communities and social responsibility."

According to the release, the agreement can be renewed in three years. The arrangement “makes MGP the largest Westar customer to commit to 100 percent renewable electric energy.”

Jeff Beasley, vice president of customer care for Westar, in the release, says Westar “applauds MGP for its commitment to the environment and social responsibility.”

The agreement took effect April 1.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Attorneys for a Nebraska death row inmate whose case inspired the 1999 movie "Boys Don't Cry" say he should be found ineligible for execution because he has the intellect of a child.
 
John Lotter was sentenced to death for his role in the 1993 killings of Brandon Teena, a 21-year-old transgender man, and two witnesses, Lisa Lambert and Philip DeVine, at a farmhouse near Humboldt.
 
The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Lotter's lawyers filed a motion stating that recent IQ testing shows the 46-year-old Lotter is intellectually disabled and therefore can't be put to death under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling forbidding the execution of the intellectually disabled.
 
Nebraska law says an IQ of 70 or below is presumptive evidence of an intellectual disability. Court records show Lotter scored a 67 last year, which would be the equivalent IQ of an 8-year-old.
 
 The judge will need to grant an evidentiary hearing to consider the issue.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A coalition of business and agricultural groups is proposing a constitutional amendment that would give the Kansas Legislature sole authority to determine adequate funding for the state's schools.
 
The push comes as lawmakers work to respond to a Kansas Supreme Court ruling that the state continues to underfund its schools after years of litigation and court rulings. The state Constitution requires Kansas to provide a suitable education for every child.
 
The Lawrence Journal-World reports a group called the Kansas Coalition for Fair Funding says the state needs to take politics out of the education funding controversy and allow Kansas residents to resolve the issue.
 
The coalition includes associations representing oil and gas, contractors, livestock, convenience stores, along with the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.
 

(KMZA)--Details have been released on a single-vehicle Nemaha County wreck that sent a Bern man to the hospital.

The Nemaha County Sheriff’s Department says it happened Wednesday, March 28th on P Road about a ¼ mile north of 220th Road.

The Sheriff’s Department says 23-year-old Jonnie Newson was northbound when his pickup truck left the roadway and went into a creek bed shortly after 5:00 in the evening.

Newson was transported by ambulance to the Sabetha Community Hospital.

(KLZA)--Tuesday is General Municipal Election Day in Missouri.  Polls are open from 6:00 a.m.  Until 7:00 p.m. Today. 

There is only one contested race in Holt County but several ballot questions for voters to decide.

Nodaway-Holt School District patrons will vote for two of three people seeking seats on the Board of Education for three years. Seeking the seats are Kelley O'Riley; Kenneth Shy and Joni Everhart.

Nodaway-Holt School patrons will also vote yes or no to continuing the current temporary operating tax levy of 89-cents per $100 of assessed valuation through tax year 2037 to construct, equip and furnish a High school addition and improve and maintain the Elementary and High school facilities and meeting the operating expenses of the school district. 

 Voters will also determine if Holt County will impose a countywide sales tax at a rate of one-half of one percent for a period of 10 years for purchasing gravel and to make capital improvements to non-state maintained gravel roads.

Corning voters will vote yes or no  on a 35-cent per $100 of assessed valuation for four years for a Special Road District. 

Mound City voters will vote yes or no on a 30-cent increase in the tax levy for street lighting for four years.  

In Atchison County, Missouri, there are several contested races for offices.

Three people are seeking two, three-year terms on the Tarkio R-1 School Board.  Up for election are Rachel Graves, Sam Hannah and Garrett Wood. 

Dalton Holbrook and Raymond Gebhards Jr. are running for the Tarkio Special Road District Board Member seat. 

Running for a six year term on the Tarkio Rural fire District Board are Lyle Johnson and James Smith.  

The Fairfax School District patrons will vote yes or no to increasing the operating tax levy ceiling to $4.7848 per $100 of assessed valuation for the next 7 years to maintain district facilities and pay the increased costs associated with educational programs, utilities and other operation needs of the district.  
The amount of the annual increase is estimated at 75-cents per $100 of assessed valuation. 

Tarkio voters will cast votes to impose a local use tax at the same rate as the local sales tax, currently at a rate of two percent.

Tarkio voters will also cast a vote whether or not to dissolve the Board of Public Works and the Board of Aldermen to be solely over the water and sewer department.

Other ballot questions include shall the Phelps City Special Road District levy an additional 35-cents on the hundred dollar valuation for four years. This would be a continuation of an existing tax.
 

(KLZA)--Falls City business and residents have recently reported receiving calls from an individual claiming to be with the Falls City Utilities.

The caller states that there is an overdue bill that must be paid or utilities will be shut off within 45 minutes. If you receive such a call, DO NOT give the caller your card information. This is a SCAM.

Falls City Utilities notifies customers of impending shut off by a letter.

If you ever have questions on your bill, please call the Falls City Utilities at 402-245-2724.

(KAIR)--A vehicle is found wrecked and on fire in Atchison County, with the resulting investigation leading to allegations of arson, and to the discovery of a residential burglary and stolen vehicles.

Sheriff Jack Laurie told MSC News the abandoned vehicle was discovered on Bourbon Road, north of 262nd Road around 9:00 Saturday night.

The vehicle, which had left the roadway and smashed through a barbed-wire fence and a field embankment, had been stolen from Overland Park.

The Effingham Fire Department was called in to extinguish the blaze, which Laurie said is believed to have been intentionally set. “We did recover a gas can,” Laurie said. “We had the State Fire Marshal come in and take a look, and we do believe it was set and not the result of an accident."
Laurie says the gas tank was allegedly found in a separate vehicle driven by 28-year-old Overland Park resident Elizabeth Spiess.

She was arrested late Sunday morning after she drew attention to herself while fixing a tire in the Effingham area. Laurie said an eyewitness said Spiess appeared to have been in a fire.

Atchison Police later spotted her vehicle, and made a stop, with the investigation tying Spiess to her alleged role in the wreck and fire.

According to Laurie, Deputies were able to learn from Spiess that a Bourbon Road residence, not far from the wrecked vehicle was found, had been burglarized. Stolen were car keys which allowed the suspects to drive away in a vehicle that had been parked at the home.

Laurie says it was later recovered in Falls City, Nebraska, where another suspect was also taken into custody, driving a separate vehicle, but who is allegedly tied to the vehicle thefts and to the wreck. The suspect's name isn't immediately available.

The investigation continues, and more arrests are expected.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Kansas says it collected $39.5 million more in taxes than it expected in March to make it the 10th consecutive month revenues were greater than anticipated.
 
The Department of Revenue reported Monday that tax collections last month were almost $490 million when the state's official fiscal forecast predicted $450 million. The surplus was 8.8 percent.
 
 Since the start of its current budget year July 1, the state's tax collections have exceeded expectations by about 7 percent.
 
The state has collected $4.8 billion in taxes so far during the fiscal year and the official estimate predicted $4.5 billion. The surplus is $315 million.
 
Revenue Secretary Sam Williams said changes in federal tax laws enacted last year are a key factor and it's hard to say how much economic growth is occurring.

(KKNZA)--Brown County has agreed to help fund repairs to a building at the fairgrounds in Horton.

Representatives of the Brown County Fair Board visited with the County Commission during their meeting Friday about the condition of the roof on the hog barn at the fairgrounds.

The Commission was told the quote for repairs is $10,500 for materials, with the labor being donated by 4-H members.

The Commission voted to match the city of Horton’s contribution up to $5,400 for the necessary repairs.

The 2018 Brown County Fair will be held July 9th-13th.

(KLZA)--Beginning in December,  the Humboldt Mayor and  City Council members will receive a pay raise.

Council members approved the second of two proposals for a pay increase during the March 20th City Council meeting.  

Currently, the Mayor of Humboldt receives $1,050 annually and Council members are paid $525 per year.

A motion by Council person Dolores Martinez to increase the Mayor compensation to $3-thousand annually and the Council members annual pay to $2-thousand  failed on a vote of 3-2.  Martinez and Stacey Edmundson voted in favor of the increase with Council members Doris  DeJonge, and Dean Bogle voting no.  Mayor Crystal Dunekacke broke the tie casting a nay vote.

Council member Bogle made a motion to increase the pay for the Mayor at $150 per month which would be an annual total of $1,800 and Council members compensation at $100 per month beginning December 4th.  The motion was approved on a 3-1 vote with Council member DeJonge casting the nay vote.

The new compensation amounts will go into effect with the seating of the next Council in December of this year. 

(KNZA)--A single-vehicle Sunday afternoon Jackson County rollover wreck sent a Horton woman to the hospital.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says 24-year-old Raina Koelliker was westbound on K-9, west of O Road, when she lost control of her SUV which ran off the road into an embankment.  The vehicle rolled multiple times, coming to rest on its top.

Koelliker, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was transported to the Holton Community Hospital with what the Patrol described as possible injuries.

The Patrol report indicates a passenger, 16-year-old Horton resident Alvana Chrismas, suffered possible injuries but was not transported for hospitalized treatment.

Two other Horton passengers, three-month-old Fannoch Koelliker and two-year-old Alexandar Erbes, were not hurt.

The wreck was reported shortly before 2:50 Sunday afternoon.